Traffic along the Lagos-Ore-Benin Expressway was severely disrupted on Wednesday after truck drivers blocked the Oniparaga axis in Ondo State to protest alleged extortion by police officers, leaving hundreds of commuters and motorists stranded for several hours.
The action brought movement to a standstill on one of Nigeria's busiest transport corridors, causing significant delays for passengers, commercial drivers, and travellers, including candidates heading to recruitment centres for armed forces and paramilitary agencies. Frustrated travellers appealed to relevant authorities to intervene urgently and resolve the impasse to ease the hardship faced by those trapped in the congestion.
Police Deny Allegations
However, the Ondo State Police Command has categorically dismissed claims linking the incident to police extortion. In a statement, the command's spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, described the reports circulating on social media as "false and misleading".
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the traffic disruption was caused by a tanker driver who deliberately blocked the highway following a disagreement with officers performing lawful duties. The command insisted that the situation was not a coordinated protest against police activities.
Police Deployment Ordered
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, has ordered the immediate deployment of additional security and traffic management personnel to the affected area to restore normalcy, manage traffic flow, and ensure the safety of commuters. Efforts are ongoing in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to clear the obstruction and restore free movement along the expressway.
The command urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misinformation and await verified updates through official channels.
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