Traffic along the busy Adoka–Otukpo road in Benue State was thrown into chaos Thursday evening after angry tanker drivers blocked the highway in a dramatic protest over alleged police misconduct that led to a deadly accident.
Eyewitnesses reported that the trouble began around 2:20 p.m. when a policeman at a roadblock allegedly hurled a spiked tree trunk onto the road in a bid to stop an approaching trailer. In a desperate attempt to avoid the obstacle, the driver of a truck transporting cattle swerved violently, veered off the road, and crashed into a ditch. The impact killed several cows instantly, sending others scattering into nearby farmlands.
The chaotic scene quickly escalated when furious truck assistants pounced on the officers, managing to seize one policeman while the others fled into surrounding bushes. Locals at the scene described the atmosphere as tense, with residents fearing a clash between the protesting drivers and security forces.
Farmers in the area are also expressing worry over potential destruction to their crops, as surviving cattle from the wreck are now roaming freely through cultivated land. The blockade left hundreds of commuters and vehicles stranded for hours, with no alternative route available.
As of press time, police authorities in Benue State had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, fueling further outrage among motorists and residents who are calling for immediate justice and accountability.
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