There was a gridlock Friday along the Abuja-Lokoja highway following the killing of an articulated vehicle driver by an unidentified soldier.
Vehicles coming from the north states and others heading to the south were held for almost five hours as a result of the accident as trailer drivers blocked the boundary road between Kogi and Abuja, in protest.
Eyewitness account had it that the incident occurred before the Jamata bridge in Koton-Karfi local government, when a trailer conveying cows from the Abuja axis was stopped by the solders at the check point.
Source further said that an argument between one of the soldiers and the driver resulted into fracas.
The eyewitnesses said one of the solder shot at the driver, killing him instantly.
The military men it was gathered evacuated the checkpoint with their vehicle and escaped to avoid attack by the drivers who later barricaded the road with their trailers.
Meanwhile the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has described the incident as unfortunate.
This was contained in press statement issued by the Director General, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo.
It reads: “The unfortunate incident is being investigated by the relevant authorities. Let us all wait for the report of the investigations. But one thing is clear: The Kogi State Government will ensure protection of lives and property as every life is important.
“We urge the people of the area to remain calm and not take the laws into their hands as government will get to the root of the matter.
“Governor Yahaya Bello is committed to protecting the lives and property of all Kogites and commuters passing through the State”.
The governor urged residents of Koton-karfe to refrain from jungle justice “as government has enough machinery for investigations and justice dispensation”.
Credits: | The Nation
