Traffic came to a standstill on the Lokoja-Ajaokuta highway as truck drivers staged a protest, blocking the busy route in response to the recent shooting of some of their colleagues.
The drivers, who converged in large numbers, demanded urgent action and justice, expressing anger and frustration over what they described as increasing insecurity and attacks targeting transport workers along the corridor.
Eyewitnesses reported that the protesters used their vehicles to barricade the highway, causing long traffic jams and disrupting movement of goods and commuters between Kogi State and neighbouring regions.
The incident that triggered the protest reportedly involved armed assailants who opened fire on a convoy of trucks, injuring several drivers and causing panic among transport operators in the area.
Leaders of the drivers’ unions called on security agencies to intensify patrols, enhance protection for road users, and bring the perpetrators to justice to prevent further violence.
Officials from the Nigerian Police Force have assured the public of ongoing investigations and pledged increased security presence along the highway to restore normalcy.
The Lokoja-Ajaokuta route is a vital commercial artery linking several states and facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, industrial goods, and commuters, making the disruption a significant economic concern.
