Commercial bus drivers in Imo State took to the streets on Tuesday to protest what they described as relentless harassment and intimidation by task force officials.
The protesters, members of the Drivers Welfare Association, expressed frustration over alleged illegal actions by these officials.
Gathering in front of Region Hospital Mgbirichi along the Owerri-Port Harcourt road, the drivers disrupted operations by intercepting buses and offloading passengers.
They said their goal was to draw Governor Hope Uzodimma’s attention to their plight.
Mr. Chinedu Okoro, a protester, lamented the escalating abuses despite the governor’s recent directive dissolving illegal task forces.
“Immediately the announcement was made, the harassment intensified. They drag us out of our vehicles, confiscate our keys, beat us up, and even puncture our tyres,” he said.
Okoro called on the governor to urgently address their concerns.
“If you go to Douglas Road now, there’s no place to drop passengers. Touts will immediately attack you, destroy your vehicle, and beat you up,” he added.
Another protester, Umah Samuel Azubuike, decried the negative image the situation is giving the state government.
“We want to know if the governor is aware of these people or if they are acting independently. We can’t continue to stay silent,” he said.
Azubuike accused some officials of using Governor Uzodimma’s name to justify their actions.
“They seize your bus and claim, ‘Governor said this, Governor said that,’ but I doubt he authorized this,” he complained.
Drivers also alleged that some officials wear unofficial uniforms, raising doubts about their legitimacy.
“Our governor is a good man with a human heart. We believe he will investigate these actions and bring order,” Azubuike pleaded.
Many drivers claimed their vehicles had been seized and taken to undisclosed locations by the task force. They called for an investigative committee to identify and address the perpetrators of these actions.
“Our vehicles have been lost in these incidents, and we have suffered enough,”
“We insist on knowing who sent these people engaging in criminal activities in the state.” another protester said.
The protesting drivers vowed to continue their demonstrations until Governor Uzodimma intervenes decisively. They emphasized that protecting their livelihoods and ensuring accountability is critical for peace in the state.
