Six drivers killed, 17 abducted in one month — Niger NURTW

The Niger State Council of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has raised the alarm over the worsening security situation along the Mokwa–New Bussa–Babanna road, saying six commercial drivers were killed and about 17 others abducted within the last month.

The NURTW chairman in the state, Abubakar Musa Bala, disclosed this while speaking with our reporter in Minna, saying the development triggered a protest by commercial drivers in Mokwa over growing attacks on motorists plying the route.

The protest reportedly led to the blockade of the Mokwa–Lagos Highway, as well as the Mokwa–New Bussa–Babanna road, for two days.

Bala, who spoke through the union’s treasurer, Alhaji Danladi Abdullahi, said the drivers embarked on the protest without the consent of the union.

He, however, said the situation was brought under control following the intervention of the union and relevant security authorities.

According to him, the protest began on Sunday and escalated the following day, while normalcy was later restored.

He added that the drivers subsequently downed their tools on Tuesday and shut all motor parks in Mokwa town in protest against the deteriorating security situation.

Abdullahi explained that the protest was not restricted to taxi and bus drivers, as operators of articulated vehicles also joined the action.

When contacted, the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.

Abiodun said the Command would deploy personnel for daily patrols along the roads to enhance the safety of motorists and other road users.