There is tension in Owerri, capital of Imo as Tanker drivers protest over alleged harassment and extortion by officers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
It was gathered that many tanker Drivers State blocked the ever-busy Okigwe Road, from Owerri Correctional Service to IMSU junction.
This prevented motorists from going in and out of the town.
Explaining why the protest is ongoing, the protesters blamed the NSCDC officials for unremitting capture and unlawful detainment of genuine tankers drivers and their trucks consistently.
According to them, the march is aimed at drawing government attention to extortion they go through on a daily basis.
Inhabitants of the Heartland City have pleaded with the State Governor, Sen Hope Uzodinma, as a matter of urgency, to intervene before the situation gets out of hand.
When the Public Relation Officer, PRO, Chimeziri Lowell, was contacted, he described the allegation as false, adding that it is not new for tanker drivers to make baseless allegations against the NSCDC.
He went on to challenge the leadership of the group to come forward with evidence of extortion against any NSCDC personnel
Going further, Chimeziri stated that since Mr Michael Ogar, the NSCDC Commandant in Imo came on board, they have remained committed.
He went on to call on residents to help the command conquer the challenge of access to information by giving it fundamental information on the movement and exercises of criminals.
