Transporters seek alternative routes over fear of insecurity in Taraba

 

Due to the declining security situation in Takum and Ussa local government councils of Taraba State, commercial drivers using the roads have resorted to using other routes

Speaking to newsmen on Monday in Jalingo, the state capital, some of the drivers disclosed that they have stopped plying the roads because of the ongoing attacks by suspected militias.

Although none of them has fallen victim to any attack, they said their move is preventive.

Aliyu Usman, who claimed to have been plying the route for over 10 years, said he has resolved to “stop going there with passengers till when the situation would be brought under control.” He said the military checkpoints in the area have been dismantled and driving along the routes has because very risky.

According to him “in the past, we used to be very comfortable driving in and out of those places because soldiers are there in the checkpoints checking those coming in and out. But now that they are no longer there, it would be suicidal for some of us to still be driving through the road.”

Like Usman, other drivers who bared their minds to DAILY POST claimed that they now prefer to ply Jalingo-Yola road instead of insisting on Jalingo-Takum-Ussa roads.

Confirming the positions of the drivers, the Takum branch Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Bello Sule, said the situation has forced most of the commercial drivers to withdraw their services from the areas.

Citing insecurity as the reason that necessitated their actions, he urged the state government to collaborate with the security operatives in order to emerge victorious over the bandits.

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He pleaded with the authorities to deploy more troops to the areas as the insecurity is affecting food prices and other services in the areas.