Gombe boils as truck drivers protest shooting by NSCDC operative

From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe

Truck drivers have blocked major roads linking Gombe State to Bauchi, Kano and Adamawa states following an incident in which a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operative allegedly shot a truck driver during a disagreement over a traffic route.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7 a.m. after the driver, who was said to be unfamiliar with the area, allegedly took a wrong route while returning from a delivery.

Auwal Sani, a team leader representing the Dangote transport company involved, said the driver mistakenly followed an old road instead of the designated route after becoming confused at the Mile 3 Roundabout.

According to him, an NSCDC operative attempted to redirect the driver but allegedly opened fire when the truck continued moving, hitting the driver in the hip.

Sani said the injured driver was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe, where he was receiving medical attention.

The incident reportedly triggered a protest by other truck drivers, who blocked major roads, preventing motorists from passing and raising fears of a possible breakdown of law and order.

However, the Chairman of Amada Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Bello Sulaiman, said the council had intervened to address the situation and restore normal traffic movement.

Sulaiman, who confirmed the driver’s injury, said he had visited the victim alongside officials of the drivers’ association and confirmed that he was in stable condition.

He added that medical personnel, including the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, were attending to the injured driver.

The council chairman said he and other officials were engaging representatives of the drivers’ associations, truck owners and other stakeholders to resolve the disagreement and prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, Sani said the Special Adviser to the Gombe State Governor had assured the company that the state government would take responsibility for the driver’s medical expenses and provide other necessary support.

He added that discussions were ongoing among the local government chairman, security officials and drivers’ union representatives to secure the reopening of the roads.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Gombe State Police Command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the incident when contacted.

He said the command had deployed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of Operations to the scene, adding that security officials were engaging the parties involved to resolve the situation and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Sani further disclosed that the truck would be taken to the nearest police division for necessary action once normal traffic movement resumed.