Truck drivers across the country are on the verge of a strike in response to the increasing number of attacks they encounter while delivering food items nationwide. This development, highlights the situation where numerous trucks and warehouses have become targets for hoodlums.
Yusuf Othman, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, expressed his concerns to journalists on Tuesday. He indicated that the truck drivers might have no choice but to halt their services if these attacks persist. Othman emphasized the severity of the situation by mentioning the inadequacy of insurance coverage for their vehicles and goods, which does not extend to damages caused by riots or similar disturbances.
Othman made an appeal to the public to desist from assaulting truck drivers and their vehicles. He warned that a continuation of these attacks could lead to a significant disruption in the transportation of food items, potentially resulting in a nationwide food scarcity.
He posed a rhetorical question to underscore the dilemma faced by the drivers: “If you are transporting food and somebody stops you on the road and loots the food items, what will you do?” This question reflects the dire situation faced by transporters and the potential consequences for the country’s food supply chain.
