Drivers Block Road, Demand Replacement As Policeman Shoots Trailer Tyre (Photo)

Scene of the protest

Some trailer drivers on Thursday used their vehicles to block the busy Owo-Ikare Expressway in Oba Akoko, in the Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, to protest the alleged unprofessional conduct of a policeman on the highway.

The protesters reportedly alleged that the policeman shot the tyre of a truck following the refusal of the driver to stop the vehicle at a checkpoint on the road.

The action of the trailer drivers was said to have caused traffic for several hours, as vehicles plying the road were held in the gridlock.

An eyewitness, who did not identify himself, said the road was blocked for more than three hours, adding that the trailer drivers insisted that the police must buy a new tyre to replace the damaged one, which cost about N250,000.

He said, “The drivers, many of them, the ones coming from Lagos and the ones coming from the northern part of the country, all blocked the road. They insisted that the police must replace the tyre that was damaged.

“In spite of the plea by the senior police officers who came to the scene, the drivers insisted that they would not leave the road. They were there for over three hours. During the protest, there was no movement to and fro anywhere on the highway.”

The eyewitness said the matter was later resolved by the police.

He could not, however, confirm if any money was paid.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the blockage of the expressway by the drivers.

“But I don’t have the details. I heard about trailer drivers blocking the highway. I will send the details when I get the information,” Odunlami stated.