Police in Niger State have intervened in a protest by commercial drivers over alleged incessant kidnappings along the Mokwa-New Bussa and Mokwa-Bida roads.
The Niger State Police Command has intervened in a protest by commercial drivers over alleged incessant kidnappings of motorists and passengers along the Mokwa-New Bussa and Mokwa-Bida roads.
The protest, which began on Friday, reportedly led to the blockage of major roads around Mokwa, leaving commuters stranded and causing heavy traffic gridlock.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this on Sunday in Minna, saying the command had engaged the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and other stakeholders to resolve the situation.
According to him, the aggrieved drivers had agreed to reopen the roads following discussions with the police and other relevant authorities.
“The union members agreed and gave assurance that the road will be reopened immediately for motorists and other users of the road,” Abiodun said.
He added that the Mokwa Divisional Police Officer and other stakeholders had initiated dialogue with the transport unions to address their concerns.
Abiodun said the police, military and vigilante groups were conducting joint clearance operations in areas affected by insecurity.
“The DPO assured the transporters that the Police, military and vigilante members were working closely in a series of joint clearance operations in the affected areas to address the security challenges,” he said.
The protest was triggered by concerns over repeated attacks and alleged abductions of drivers and passengers along the Mokwa-New Bussa axis.
An elder in Mokwa, Alhaji Muhammed Shaba, said the situation had become increasingly worrying, alleging that several drivers and passengers were currently being held by kidnappers.
“They are protesting because our people are in the forest. As we speak, about seven or eight drivers including their passengers are in the hands of kidnappers in the forest,” he said.
Shaba called for urgent intervention by the relevant authorities, alleging that kidnappings had become a frequent occurrence along the route.
Also speaking, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Niger Command, Aishat Saadu, said the New Bussa chapter of the transport union had also blocked its section of the road over similar security concerns.
She said the Mokwa protest subsequently began, resulting in serious gridlock along the affected routes.
“The New-Bussa chapter of the union started their own blockade on Saturday due to the same reason. So, that of Mokwa just started their own today,” Saadu said.
A protesting driver, Aliyu Hassan, confirmed that the roads had been reopened following a meeting involving the police, FRSC and other stakeholders.
He said the drivers embarked on the protest to draw attention to what they described as worsening attacks along the Mokwa-New Bussa route.
“The road has been reopened for movement. We embarked on the protest because for the past one month, bandits have been blocking the Mokwa-New Bussa Road every day, killing drivers and passengers and abducting some,” Hassan said.
He added that some drivers were receiving treatment for injuries sustained during attacks by suspected bandits.
The protest had earlier caused significant disruption along the Mokwa-Bida and Mokwa-New Bussa routes, with commuters reportedly stranded for several hours.
The development has renewed calls for stronger security measures along major highways in Niger State to protect motorists, passengers and other road users.
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