The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) staged a protest in Jos, Plateau State, condemning the killing of northern truck drivers allegedly by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East region.
The protest, which took place on Sunday, saw drivers carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is enough,” “End the carnage, ensure smooth passage of northern truck drivers,” and “We are united against violence, protect all drivers regardless of origin.”
Janedu Ahamad Zaki, the State Coordinator of Heavy Trucks, Plateau State Council, described the attacks as “senseless and barbaric.” He called on the Federal Government to deploy security personnel to protect truck drivers and their properties in the region.
Zaki alleged that over 50 drivers had lost their lives, while hundreds of trucks carrying goods had been set ablaze or looted. He cited a recent attack on January 28, 2025, where four drivers were ambushed and killed while transporting tomatoes to Port Harcourt.
The protesters called on the federal government to take immediate action, demanding justice for their members. Zaki said, “As Nigerian citizens, we believe we have the right to move freely and engage in legitimate businesses without fear of persecution. This level of brutality and disregard for human life is unacceptable, and we demand justice for our members.”
The union also demanded that IPOB leaders be held accountable for the alleged atrocities committed by their members and called for increased security presence along affected routes. Jafar Mahmud warned that if the attacks continued, truck drivers might be forced to suspend the transportation of goods to the Southeast.
Mahmud said, “If these atrocities continue, we will have no option but to suspend the transportation of goods to the Southeast. It is high time the government rises to the occasion. We pray that Almighty God blesses Nigeria and keeps us united”.