MARCEL MBAMALUTruck drivers brought the Benin-Lagos highway to a standstill on Good Friday, blocking both sides of the road at Danco and Beta Petrol stations.
The drivers protested the alleged demand for N10,000 bribes by Nigerian Customs officers, which they claim is a long-standing grievance.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe drivers, determined to bring attention to their plight, stood firm for two hours despite pleas from authorities to disperse. A police escort, initially tasked with ensuring the drivers’ safe passage, was stranded alongside other motorists. The leader of the customs officers attempted to reason with the drivers, returning a seized waybill to one of the truck owners, but they refused to yield. The owner later told Prime Business Africa that his plywood-carrying truck was held for three days by the customs officers at the post despite pleas.
A youth chairman in the community intervened, but his words fell on deaf ears. The drivers remained resolute, united in their demand for an end to the alleged corrupt practice. As the standoff continued, the highway became congested with frustrated commuters.
After two hours, the authorities relented, promising to investigate the allegations. Satisfied that their voices had been heard, the drivers slowly dispersed, allowing traffic to flow once more. The incident highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the operations of Nigerian Customs officers.
Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a distinguished communication scholar, journalist, and entrepreneur with three decades of experience in the media industry. He holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and serves as the publisher of Prime Business Africa, a renowned multimedia news platform catering to Nigeria and Africa's socio-economic needs.
Dr. Mbamalu's journalism career spans over two decades, during which he honed his skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of senior editor. Notably, between 2018 and 2023, he collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Northeast Nigeria, training senior journalists on conflict reporting and health journalism.
Dr. Mbamalu's expertise has earned him international recognition. He was the sole African representative at the 2023 Jefferson Fellowship program, participating in a study tour of the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) on inclusion, income gaps, and migration issues.
In 2020, he was part of a global media team that covered the United States presidential election.
Dr. Mbamalu has attended prestigious media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and the Reuters/AfDB Training on "Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development in Africa."
As a columnist for The Punch Newspaper, with insightful articles published in other prominent Nigerian dailies, including ThisDay, Leadership, The Sun, and The Guardian, Dr. Mbamalu regularly provides in-depth analysis on socio-political and economic issues.
