Tanker Drivers Protest Member’s Killing

The Kaduna branch of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association, has announced indefinite
suspension of its operation in protest against the alleged killing of one of
its members by soldiers in Kaduna.

Its
Chairman, Gambo Tuge, who announced the suspension in an interview with newsmen
in Kaduna recently, said the victim was shot by the soldier at the NNPC
junction in the city.

He
alleged that, the victim, Muhammed Isah, 37, was shot by a member of the Joint
Task Force stationed along the Kaduna Refining Petrochemical Company Road while
off-loading fuel from a tanker with registration number Kebbi AA 352 BRK
belonging to A A Maiahu Co. Ltd.

Tuge
said the deceased, who hailed from Kamba Local Government in Kebbi, was shot
following an argument with the soldiers while off-loading the product at AP
filling station on Sunday night.

The
chairman said one of the soldiers had asked the driver and his assistant to
frog-jump for an undisclosed offence.

“He
later enquired to know who the tanker driver was, and when the driver
identified himself the soldier asked him to walk towards him and in the process
opened fire and shot him twice on the abdomen”.

He
said the deceased was rushed to St. Gerard’s Hospital, where he later died.

Tuge
said the association had informed its national headquarters on the incident and
was awaiting its response.

He
said the suspension of its services would continue pending the response of the
national body and the army.

According
to him, soldiers had in similar circumstances killed two tanker drivers in
Plateau and Enugu states.