The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has ordered an orderly room trial of a personnel allegedly involved in the shooting of a trailer driver at New Mile 3, Gombe Bypass.
The Gombe State Commandant of the Corps, Muhammed Inuwa Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Buhari Sa’ad.
Our correspondent reports that for over six hours, passengers were stranded as trailer drivers blocked major routes in Gombe metropolis.
Yola, Biu, Kano routes were among the affected parts where residents were forced to abort their trips.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday morning during a routine enforcement exercise by personnel of the Anti-Vandal Unit, following an altercation between the officers and the trailer driver.
Usman ordered that the officer involved be taken into custody and relieved of his duties pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.
He also constituted a disciplinary committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The commandant said the Corps would not tolerate misconduct or protect any personnel whose actions endangered public safety or violated operational guidelines.
He said, “The Corps will not tolerate or shield any officer whose actions endanger public safety or violate operational guidelines and the rules of engagement.”
Expressing regret over the incident, Usman assured residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property, maintaining professional standards and respecting human rights.
He added that the outcome of the orderly room trial and internal disciplinary process would be made public upon conclusion.
The commandant appealed to motorists and residents of the area to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that a thorough investigation was ongoing.
He also wished the victim a speedy recovery, adding that justice would be served.
Gridlock as NSCDC officer allegedly shoots trailer driver in Gombe
A road blockade by protesting trailer drivers following an alleged shooting of one of their colleagues by an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has caused a major gridlock in Gombe State.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Gombe State, Samson Kaura, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Thursday, saying the agency had deployed its personnel to the affected area to restore traffic flow.
Kaura said preliminary reports indicated that the confrontation involved an NSCDC officer and Dangote truck drivers, prompting the drivers to block the road in protest.
“From the report we received, there was an incident between, I think, the Civil Defence and the Dangote drivers. So, that’s why they blocked the road. But already, our men are there, and arrangements are being made so that the road can be opened,” he said.
When asked about reports that a driver had been shot during the confrontation, Kaura said he could not independently confirm the claim.
“That is what was said, but I am not too sure because I wasn’t there,” he added.
An eyewitness, Mohammed Sani, told our correspondent that the NSCDC officer allegedly shot the trailer driver following an argument between them.
“NSCDC personnel stationed around Gombe International Hotel Junction allegedly shot a trailer driver. Angry trailer drivers blocked the entire road, including Bauchi Road (Tumfure), in protest over the incident,” Sani said.
The blockade reportedly disrupted vehicular movement around the Gombe International Hotel Junction and extended to Bauchi Road, leaving motorists and commuters stranded.
Kaura said he had directed his men to the scene to assess the situation and work towards reopening the affected roads.