Tipper Drivers Protest Alleged N200,000 Extortion by Anambra Govt Officials

In Onitsha, tipper drivers have raised concerns over alleged extortion by officials of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA). According to the drivers, ARTMA officials have been demanding N200,000 and above from them under the guise of traffic control.

Ebuka Unekwe, chairman of the tipper drivers’ association, highlighted these grievances during a press briefing on Thursday. He expressed dismay over the daily extortion faced by tipper drivers, pointing out the poor condition of the roads they use to load sand, which often leads to vehicle accidents and operational challenges.

“Due to the unmotorable condition of the roads, vehicles frequently fall, causing significant issues for the drivers,” Mr. Unekwe said. To navigate these challenges, drivers have started using alternative routes, including Niger Street, Port Harcourt Road, and Upper Iweka in Onitsha.

Mr. Unekwe detailed the alleged modus operandi of the extortion, claiming that ARTMA officials, accompanied by security agents, intercept their vehicles at Upper Iweka. “They force us into their park and demand N200,000 cash, claiming to act on behalf of Governor Charles Soludo,” he stated, adding that the officials refuse digital payments and only accept physical cash.

The chairman also implicated a specific individual, Akachukwu from Ebonyi State, who he claims was appointed by the ARTMA Managing Director to ensure the extortion and private remittance of the funds. He cited recent instances where eight tipper drivers were allegedly forced to pay N200,000 each over two days.

In response to the ongoing extortion, the tipper drivers have planned a peaceful protest to highlight their plight to the state government. “We intend to block the Onitsha axis of the federal highway to draw attention to our issues,” Mr. Unekwe announced.

When contacted, ARTMA Managing Director Emeka Konti denied the allegations, asserting that no officials were instructed to collect N200,000 from tipper drivers. “That is totally false. We only asked the tipper drivers to stop driving one-way at night, which led to these false claims,” Mr. Konti stated.