Passengers left stranded after union closes Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala road and holds strike in a show of solidarity with the dead truck driver.

A truck driver was allegedly beaten to death by a soldier at an army checkpoint on the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala road on Tuesday evening, December 26.

Witnesses said a soldier demanded a “tip” from the driver, Muhammad Bello, and when he refused to hand over any cash he was told to pull over to the side of the road. A fight broke out and soldiers beat him.

They said the fight happened on the Gamboru Ngala road towards the exit leading to Dikwa.

The soldier who had demanded the money was angry and allegedly beat the driver to death.

The road was shut by the National Union of Road Transport Workers and no one was allowed to travel into or out of Gamboru Ngala. Many people were left stranded.
Mele Bulabulin, the chairman of the union in Dikwa, told RNI that the reason the road was shut was because of an “misunderstanding” between soldiers and truck drivers which resulted in the death of one driver.

“In solidarity we closed all entrances and exits leading in and out of Dikwa and Gamboru Ngala. I was also told that the soldier who killed the driver ran away after killing him. The reason for the killing was that the truck driver refused to hand over cash to the soldier who had demanded a tip.

“The driver was conveying relief materials for a non-governmental organisation when he was stopped by soldiers at a checkpoint. When a soldier asked him for a tip, the driver told him he did not have money. He said he had not even eaten breakfast because he did not have cash. He told the soldiers he would get paid only when he delivered the items in Gamboru Ngala.

“The soldiers told him to park his truck and he obeyed. Witnesses said soldiers and a civilian joint task force member rushed at the driver and they started beating him mercilessly. One of the soldiers killed him.

“We used my car. We took his body to the mortuary. We started the strike in solidarity with the dead driver. Commercial motorists and transport workers are all on strike. No one can use this road.”

Dawa Musa, a motorist, said he was travelling from Yobe State to Gamboru Ngala.

“But when we tried to into the town we weren’t allowed to pass the entrance gate, which was closed. I had used all my money to travel to Gamboru Ngala and had nothing left. I wasn’t aware of the closure and only became aware of it when we got to the entrance.

“I have no money left to buy something to eat and I can’t to pay for a room to stay the night. The car park is chilly at night. I am concerned and confused. I’m not sure what to do.

“I travel frequently to Gamboru to trade goods. But I have only a few items left in my car because I sold most of them.”
Hadiza Garga said she was travelling from Kano to Gamboru Ngala.

“We have been stranded since yesterday. When we arrived at the entrance gate we were told we were not allowed pass.
“We had to spend the night in the car because we did no not have a penny on us. We don’t know what we will do. We can’t even go back to Kano because we don’t have any money on us.”

Alhaji Dahiru Mai Kunama told RNI that he was travelling from Potiskum in Yobe State to Cameroon.

“I usually take the shortcut that links Gamboru Ngala to Cameroon. I go there to sell herbal medicines.

“Because of the road closure I have not been able to get to Cameroon to sell my medicines. My intention was to reach Cameroon, sell my goods and send money back to my family in Potiskum.

“I called them earlier to explain what had happened and pleaded with them to borrow money from someone. I will pay them back when I am able to get to Cameroon.”

Alhaji Bukar Dikwa, a member of the drivers’ union, said the truck driver was travelling from Maiduguri to Gamboru Ngala when the incident occurred.
“If the government does not say or do anything about the killing of the truck driver, we will not suspend the industrial action we embarked on early on Wednesday, December 27. We will resume activities only when the union leaders tell us to.

“Passengers who wanted to leave Gamboru Ngala for other destinations were told about the road closure at the motor park. They were told to return home until the strike ends.”

A statement released by Lieutenant Colonel AY Jingina, the acting deputy director of army public relations 7 Division, confirmed the “unfortunate incident” and said that the matter was being investigated.

He said the division had been in contact with the union and had assured both the family and the union of its commitment towards ensuring that justice is served and “no stone will be left unturned in this regard”.

“The soldier in question has been arrested and an investigation has commenced. It’s also worthy to mention that the division does not tolerate any form of unprofessional conduct from any personnel as we operate within the ambit of the law.”

In a statement, the Borno State government said it had received the “sad news of the killing of a truck driver with utter shock, anguish and dismay”. The victim, Muhammad Bello was a resident of the Bulabulin Monday Market area in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council He was 35 years old.

“The government condemns in strong terms this act of violence allegedly committed by military personnel. The government also commiserates with the family of the deceased. May Allah repose the soul of the deceased and grant his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“The government is following up this matter, and will take all necessary measures to ensure that the matter is properly investigated and suspects are prosecuted. Anyone who is found guilty will face the full wrath of the law.”

Aysha Mustapha Kolomi