Lorry drivers block Onitsha headbridge in protest over alleged shooting of tanker tyre by Navy

Drivers of various articulated vehicles, including lories, tankers and tippers have blocked the Niger Bridgehead in Onitsha in protest.

THE RAZOR NEWS learnt the protest was triggered by extortion by naval officers operating on the bridge, who insist on collecting N1,000 from them as bribe.

The driver’s however decided to block the road on Saturday morning, after a naval officer shot and punctured the tyres of a lorry because its driver refused to pay N1,000 bribe.

As at 10am on Saturday, it was learnt that the entire stretch of Onitsha-Enugu expressway was blocked for hours by lorries, who protested the treatment on their colleagues.

According to some members of the union who spoke anonymously, “Men of the Nigerian Navy at the Uga junction, Onitsha have an issue with our driver, which they claimed led to the shooting of his vehicle tyre.

“Our fellow drivers on seeing the development parked their vehicles and requested that the punctured tyre must be replaced, that is why there is protest here.”

As at the time of filing this report, some concerned individuals and navy officers were trying to negotiate with lorry drivers on the need to open the road to motorists.