Commercial drivers in Niger State have protested the worsening security situation along the Mokwa–New Bussa–Babanna axis following the alleged killing of six drivers and abduction of 17 others within one month.
The development was disclosed by the state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, Abubakar Musa Bala, who expressed concern over the rising attacks on motorists using the route.
Bala, who spoke through the union’s Treasurer, Alhaji Danladi Abdullahi, said the attacks triggered a protest by drivers in Mokwa.
The protesters reportedly blocked the Mokwa–Lagos Highway and the Mokwa–New Bussa–Babanna road for two days, disrupting movement along the routes.
Abdullahi explained that the action was embarked upon by the drivers without the approval of the union leadership.
He said the situation was eventually brought under control after the intervention of the NURTW leadership and security agencies.
According to him, the protest started on Sunday and intensified the following day before normalcy was restored.
He added that the drivers later shut all motor parks in Mokwa on Tuesday to register their displeasure over the deteriorating security situation.
Abdullahi noted that the protest was not limited to taxi and bus operators, as drivers of articulated vehicles also joined the action.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.
Abiodun assured motorists and other road users that the command would deploy personnel for regular patrols along the affected routes to strengthen security and prevent further attacks.
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