There was heavy gridlock on the Okene – Lokoja road yesterday when some Customs officers allegedly beat up a trailer driver to stupor.
The crisis and the heavy traffic left many motorists stranded as the Customs officers engaged the truck driver in fisticuffs at Irekpeni village on the road.
It was gathered that the trailer driver who was carrying container was beaten because he refused to settle the Customs officers who mounted road block.
According to the Customs officers, the driver refused to stop for his vehicle to be searched.
The action of the Customs officers was said to have drawn the sympathy of other trailer drivers who blocked the road, thus causing gridlocked.
Most motorists travelling from the north to the southern part of the country, including those heading to the northern part of the country, were stranded from almost four hours as a result of the activities of the Customs officers.
It was also gathered that when the officers realised that angry mob was about to attack them, they entered their vehicle and sped off.
Our correspondent further learnt that it took the intervention of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the police to control the heavy traffic.
Credit: Blueprint
