Kayode ShopekanTruck drivers at the Tin Can Island Port have raised the alarm over illegal checkpoints mounted by miscreants allegedly backed by police and other security agents.
The drivers urged relevant authorities to come to their aid, as thugs and miscreants have mounted more than five illegal checkpoints to continue to extort them.
Sources said there are more than five illegal checkpoints between the first and second gates of the Tin Can Island Port.
The checkpoints, according to the leadership of the drivers, are manned by miscreants who allegedly enjoy the support of security operatives to forcefully collect illegal toll of N500 from each truck driver.
Prime Business Africa confirmed this on Thursday. It was observed that the seemingly empowered thugs were stopping trucks coming out of the port to forcefully collect money at each of the checkpoints.
One of the drivers who spoke under anonymity because it would be ”too dangerous” to reveal his identity, explained that “each driver is forced to pay N500 or more” at the illegal checkpoints.
“Our experience so far in the last four months is that we now pay more bribes on this road. Once we move out of this MOB truck park and try to turn at the Tin Can first gate, we meet at least five checkpoints manned by thugs.
“They don’t have anything doing there. All they do is wave down trucks and demand at least N500 at each checkpoint. By the time you calculate what you’ve spent, aside the money you are still going to give to Customs, you would have spent N5,000 already. And if you refuse to pay this illegal toll, they will come out with weapons to beat you up. We are helpless.
“At least security officials cannot say they have not heard or gotten reports of the illegality going here. The question that comes to mind is, if they truly are not working with security, what then have the security agents done about curbing such development,” the truck driver queried.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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