Tanker drivers protest, hold Delta CP hostage

Irate tanker drivers, yesterday, held Delta State Police Commissioner, Ari Mohammed Alli, hostage for hours over the violent attack on one of their colleagues by men of the special Anti-Cult Unit of the Police Command.

Mr. Ali was present at Koka junction, Asaba, where his men opened fire on a fuel laden tanker heading to Onitsha and in the process, two tyres were damaged completely.

The tanker drivers blocked the entire road in protest, thereby causing gridlock that extended to over five kilometres, forcing road users to take alternative routes.

An eye witness said the incident, which occurred about 5:00 a.m., stalled vehicular movement in the area.

A luxurious bus driver, Sunday Adah, said he was on his way to Enugu from Lagos, but waited over six hours without hope in sight.

He said he heard that a policeman shot and destroyed two tyres of a tanker loaded with fuel and that led to the protest.

Investigation revealed that the policeman, who shot at the tanker also sustained injury as the bullet injured his hand.

Contacted, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe said the matter has been resolved. (Text, excluding amended headline: The Guardian)