Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has ordered the immediate reopening of the Abuja-Lokoja-Lagos highway blocked by tanker drivers since Monday.
Mr Bello gave the order on Tuesday through his special adviser on security matters, Omodara Jerry.
Tanker drivers blocked the highway following the alleged death of one of their colleagues who refused to stop for a check at a military point around Jamata, close to Murtala Mohammed Bridge.
The driver was said to have stopped his vehicle on noticing that he was being chased, attempted to run into the bush, but fell into a ditch and was seriously injured but later died.
The governor expressed sadness over the death of the driver but condemned the action of the tanker drivers’ union. He stated that there were better ways of channelling their grievances.
“The guards commander and his men are already on their way to ensure fruitful dialogue with the aggrieved tanker drivers for the possible reopening of the highway,” Mr Bello said.
The governor advised security agents to always exercise caution in handling issues to avoid creating a crisis.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps and other security personnel are still battling to appease the drivers to remove the blockade as of the time of this report.
(NAN)
