By Oluwabunmi Ogunjimi
In a bid to curb the growing menace of street urchins and self-styled union enforcers allegedly terrorising and extorting maritime truck drivers around the Alakija axis of Lagos State, the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, carried out a sting operation to halt the illegal collection of tolls.
The operation led to the arrest of one suspect, who is currently assisting the police with their investigation.
In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of AMATO, Mordecai Adekambi said that the group had to take action following a disturbing series of complaints from maritime truck drivers who had reportedly been subjected to repeated harassment, intimidation and illegal demands by criminal elements operating around the area.
“For a long time, truckers have raised concerns about the activities of these undesirable elements, who allegedly hide under the names of various transport unions, including RTEAN and NURTW, to create an appearance of legitimacy while subjecting members of the maritime trucking community to extortion and harassment.
“It is particularly important to state that these activities have not been authorised or sanctioned by the recognised leadership of the unions whose names are being invoked. Indeed, the leadership of both RTEAN and NURTW have, on various occasions, distanced themselves from such illegal activities.
“The situation, however, reached a breaking point after about five separate attacks and extortion incidents involving maritime truck drivers were reported within just two days.” Mordecai stated
He explained that the continued victimisation of AMATO members is unacceptable, immediately moved to confront the situation.
He said:”Rather than allowing the matter to degenerate into confrontation between truckers and street urchins, the AMATO Chairman escalated the matter to the appropriate security authorities. The Area Commander of the relevant Police Area Command and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, were contacted, leading to the activation of a coordinated security operation.
“The resulting sting operation was personally led by the leadership of the association working in close collaboration with senior Police authorities and tactical personnel.
“The operation ultimately paid off, with one of the alleged perpetrators apprehended and handed over to the Police for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the
law.”
