Operators in the haulage industry, including members of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners have raised concerns over the escalating activities of hoodlums along the Apapa-Ijora and Tincan-Mile 2 routes in Lagos State.
These criminal elements, commonly known as “area boys,” have reportedly caused the deaths of approximately 40 truck drivers annually, creating a hazardous environment for those in the trucking business and significantly disrupting the nation’s economy.
According to The PUNCH, the Executive Secretary of NARTO, Mr. Aloga Ogbogo, described the violent tactics used by these hoodlums, including physical assaults on drivers, vandalism of trucks, and theft of valuable cargo.
Ogbogo revealed that, on average, about 40 to 45 drivers lose their lives each year due to these attacks. “Some die instantly, while others succumb to their injuries later. The ones that died instantly were close to about 20 to 25. Then, some go to the hospital and subsequently die,” Ogbogo said.
The hoodlums, according to Ogbogo, often demand money from the drivers, distracting them and sometimes even tampering with the trucks’ gasoline supply, causing the vehicles to break down and block the roads.
This not only creates traffic congestion but also poses significant safety risks to drivers and other road users.
These incidents have a broader impact on the haulage industry, with truck owners facing substantial financial burdens due to the need to repair damaged vehicles and compensate injured drivers.
Ogbogo emphasized that many of these attacks go unreported, further exacerbating the problem, as the true extent of the violence remains undocumented.
Beyond the physical toll, the psychological impact on the surviving drivers is severe. Many live in constant fear of further attacks, leading to anxiety and stress that affect their mental health and overall well-being.
This fear also extends to their families, who are left to cope with the loss or incapacitation of their primary breadwinners.
The economic consequences of these attacks are far-reaching. The General Secretary of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners, Mohammed Bala, noted that the activities of the hoodlums are a significant financial burden, with two driver deaths already recorded this year. Stephen Okafor, NARTO’s General Manager of Operations, estimated that these criminal activities add about 10 to 15 percent to their daily overhead costs, leading to losses that run into billions of naira annually.
Ogbogo and other industry leaders are calling on law enforcement agencies to take decisive action to clear these dangerous elements from the port corridors. They stress that these routes are not merely local transport pathways but vital economic arteries crucial to Nigeria’s economic stability.
