Rivers drivers protest assault by taskforce officials

A protest by commercial drivers erupted on Thursday at the Obiri-Kwere Flyover in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following claims of an alleged assault by taskforce officials. The drivers halted their operations, blocked the road, and demanded an end to taskforce activities until their grievances are addressed. The situation led to traffic congestion, leaving vehicles, including those bound for the Port Harcourt International Airport, stranded for approximately two hours.

The protesters accused taskforce officials of pushing a driver out of his vehicle during a ticket-related incident, causing him to suffer a serious injury requiring recent surgery. They further demanded the disbandment of the taskforce, alleging unprofessional behavior, harassment, and extortion from its members. One driver stated, "They seized the driver’s vehicle and dragged him out of it, and he fell down.

'And the driver had a major operation recently. He was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital. That is why we are protesting." Another driver accused the officials of engaging in daily attacks and extortion at the Obiri-Kwere Flyover. The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria's Chairman, Success Temitope, called for a reconstitution of the taskforce with members from recognized transport unions to ensure professionalism and accountability.

Temitope emphasized the need to streamline the taskforce, stating, "The work belongs to the union. Let the work be left for the union, not to gather some people and say this person is the taskforce chairman. No." He proposed that the National Union and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria come together to form a joint taskforce to resolve the issue.