ACF Decries Attacks on Northern Truck Drivers in South-East, Calls for Urgent Action

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised alarm over the persistent attacks on truck drivers transporting goods from the North to the South-East, allegedly perpetrated by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, condemned the killings of drivers and the destruction of their vehicles, warning that such incidents pose a grave threat to national security and could lead to widespread unrest.

The statement detailed how heavy-duty haulage trucks traveling through the South-East have been subjected to “vicious and unprovoked attacks,” resulting in fatalities, arson, and large-scale looting. It further accused security agencies and the federal government of failing to take decisive action against the attackers.

“These attacks are brazenly carried out by armed groups claiming affiliation with IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), with victims targeted based on their northern identity,” the statement alleged.

ACF expressed deep concern over reports that the assailants not only kill truck drivers but also burn their corpses, share footage of their gruesome acts on social media, and openly mock the victims. The forum referenced a recent protest by members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Plateau State, where transporters demanded urgent intervention.

According to ACF, over the past eight years, more than 50 truck drivers have been killed, and about 100 trailers have been set ablaze in similar attacks.

The forum criticized the silence of national security agencies and the government, urging authorities to take immediate and decisive steps to end the killings. It expressed full support for NARTO and NURTW’s proposal to suspend the haulage of goods to and from the South-East until safety is guaranteed.

ACF called on the federal and state governments to identify and prosecute the perpetrators, emphasizing that no individual or group should be allowed to engage in acts of murder, arson, and lawlessness. The forum further demanded that the governments of Enugu and Imo states provide full compensation for the victims and their families.

In a strong rebuke, ACF also condemned the silence of South-East political and socio-cultural elites, urging them to take a clear stance against the ongoing violence. It called for a state of emergency to be declared on the matter and reaffirmed its commitment to justice for the victims.