Commercial bus drivers in Rivers protest alleged killing of colleague by soldier

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COMMERCIAL activities were paralysed yesterday in Port Harcourt, as commercial bus drivers took to the streets protesting Sunday’s killing of their colleague by a yet-to-be identified soldier at Rumuokoro road-about over alleged traffic offence.

The protest left several motorists and commuters stranded at various bus stops especially in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas.

It will be recalled that the bus driver was reportedly shot dead by a soldier because he allegedly drove against the traffic which triggered a spontaneous protest by drivers Sunday evening,

The aggrieved drivers yesterday resumed their protest and crippled economic activities in the state capital especially on Ikwerre Road.

Commercial bus drivers withdrew their buses from several routes in Port Harcourt and ObioAkpor local government area in solidarity with the protesters.

Commuters heading to work were stranded and forced to trek long distance.

Anti-riot policemen were deployed to Government House, on Azikiwe Road apparently to ensure the protesters did not extend their march to the area.

Some of the protesters told Vanguard that commercial bus operators had become targets of trigger happy security operatives on the roads.

They recalled that barely three months ago a trigger happy policeman shot dead a bus driver around Whimpy junction, a distance of about seven minutes drive to the scene of Sunday’s killing.

At press time the army authority in Port Harcourt had not issued any statement on the incident.

Source: Vanguard