Victims lose eyes, ears

By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—PANDEMONIUM  broke out yesterday in three local government areas of Ogun State as hoodlums suspected to be agents of the Ogun State government unleashed terror on some truck drivers while attempting to enforce the collection of “BOT charges” in the affected areas.

The incident which led to loss of eyes and ears by the drivers, occurred at Rounder in Abeokuta North, Orile-Ilugun in Odeda Local Government and Ajebo Road, Abeokuta South Local Government areas of the state.

The thugs were allegedly assisted by mobile policemen who claimed to have been deployed by the Commissioner of Police, Valentine Ntomchukwu.

However, efforts by Vanguard to get the reaction of the state government proved abortive as officials of the concerned ministries and agencies declined comment.

How trouble started

Vanguard gathered that trouble started following an attempt by a consultant (names withheld) to enforce the collection of the N500 Bureau of Transportation Haulage Levy from each truck driver daily.

This resulted in the disagreement which culminated in the violence.

Addressing newsmen over the attack, the Truck Owners Association of Nigeria, TOAN, First Nigeria Tipper and Lorry Drivers Association and the Association of Granite Suppliers and Haulers, ASSOGRASH, at a joint press conference in Abeokuta, accused the consultants of using the police and suspected thugs to collect an illegal levy.

TOAN chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Ajetunmobi, alleged that the consultant aided by about three mobile policemen and suspected thugs, armed with machetes, cudgels and other dangerous weapons, allegedly attacked the truck drivers along Ajebo Road for refusing to pay what he described as “illegal BOT levy.”

Policemen and collection of levies

The TOAN chairman wondered why Ogun State government would continue to enforce the demands for such levies using policemen when the Inspector General of Police had outlawed the erection of any form of roadblocks on federal roads across the country.

“They told us that we are to pay N500 BOT fee each daily. Whereas they did not tell us before. We saw the consultants, three mobile policemen.

‘’They brought thugs who brandished cutlasses and other dangerous weapons. They insisted that they would collect the money. Two of our members lost their eyes and one’s ear was cut off,” Ajetunmobi said.

While corroborating the TOAN chairman, ASSOGRASH General Secretary, Tunde Abiola, said although the Ogun State Government needed various means of revenue generation, the truck drivers would not condone any form of double taxation which the BOT levy represented.

Abiola condemned the use of policemen and suspected thugs to enforce the collection of the BOT levy by the consultants.