Kogi state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tanko Ali, has confirmed how a tanker driver was beaten to death by revenue collectors which led to massive protest.
The Kogi end of Jamata Bridge, along Abuja-Okene road in Kogi State, were on Wednesday, blocked by protesting tanker drivers who were said to be protesting the alleged killing of one of their members over N5,000, said to be the amount payable for passing through the state.
According to PUNCH, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Tanko Ali, who also confirmed the development said, “A tanker coming from Maiduguri was accosted around 1 am shortly before Jamata bridge by the men of the Kogi State Agricultural Produce Revenue Collectors demanding N5,000 as the amount payable for passing through the state.
“The refusal of the driver led to an argument, during which they descended on him and in the process, he was beaten to death. This drew the irk of members who blocked the Kogi end of the bridge.”
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, William Ayala, said that a tanker driver had issues with the agricultural produce revenue collectors leading to the blockage of the bridge.
He denied the death of the driver or anyone else, adding that the police in collaboration with other security agencies were working hard to clear the road.