Truck drivers blocked the Jos-Abuja Road early Saturday near Maraban Jama'a. They parked their big rigs across all lanes after police allegedly beat one of their friends to death. Traffic backed up for miles as angry drivers demanded answers about what happened.
Haruna Ahmed told reporters his fellow driver had already handed over the N500 payment officers usually ask for at checkpoints. The driver then tried to move forward when a different officer came up from behind. That cop hit him hard on the head with a wooden plank, killing him right there on the spot.
Many drivers at the protest shared stories about police taking money from them daily. They face threats if they refuse to pay. The group asked Police Chief Kayode Egbetokun to step in fast. They want justice for their dead friend, plus changes to stop these attacks against drivers passing through.
Police officials in Plateau State have not answered questions yet about what really happened. The drivers vowed to keep the road closed until someone addressed their concerns. They said the violence against their colleague shows how dangerous these checkpoints have become for working people just trying to do their jobs.
Haruna Ahmed told reporters his fellow driver had already handed over the N500 payment officers usually ask for at checkpoints. The driver then tried to move forward when a different officer came up from behind. That cop hit him hard on the head with a wooden plank, killing him right there on the spot.
Many drivers at the protest shared stories about police taking money from them daily. They face threats if they refuse to pay. The group asked Police Chief Kayode Egbetokun to step in fast. They want justice for their dead friend, plus changes to stop these attacks against drivers passing through.
Police officials in Plateau State have not answered questions yet about what really happened. The drivers vowed to keep the road closed until someone addressed their concerns. They said the violence against their colleague shows how dangerous these checkpoints have become for working people just trying to do their jobs.
