Abuja drivers: In the grip of reckless bullion van drivers

Sharing his own experience, Salim Mohammed, a resident of Garki ll, Abuja told this medium that “it is only in a country such as ours that you find all manners of violation of traffic regulations by the same government officials who are supposed to be custodians of the law. These guys are the worst traffic […]

Sharing his own experience, Salim Mohammed, a resident of Garki ll, Abuja told this medium that “it is only in a country such as ours that you find all manners of violation of traffic regulations by the same government officials who are supposed to be custodians of the law. These guys are the worst traffic offenders in Nigeria, yet they come out to arrest motorists who do not obey traffic laws,” he said.

Olabisi Adebayo, a civil servant who resides in Jabi, Abuja told Sunday Trust that “even if lives were not lost, no engagement can be so important that convoy outriders must hang out of their vehicles using weapons to strike cars, drivers and pedestrians simply because their boss is in a hurry. This behaviour has even spread to private companies, the main culprits being banks, aided and abetted by the police hired to escort their bullion vans. It is ironic that far from improving security of the principal many convoys endanger them further by drawing undue attention, by becoming involved in altercations that can divert security personnel from the main task of protecting their principals”

Another driver who recounted his grim ordeal to this medium blamed the vehicle inspector officers (VIO) for negligence. According to him, “if the VIO operatives are really alive to their responsibilities, these incidents would have been reduced drastically. But I guess they believe bullion drivers are sacred cows who are above the law because they convey cash to the banks. Besides, every security van driver now hide under the pretence of conveying money to banks to flout traffic laws. They drive as if they are the owners of the roads and as if other road users do not exit. It is really sad. While reacting, the FCT sector commander, for the FRSC Nsebong Apkabio told Sunday Trust that, “we are currently compiling the names of victims who have been abused by these reckless bullion van drivers and we hope to present them at a meeting with the banks’ chief executives next month when we meet. But I want to advise the public that whenever they are harassed by these reckless drivers, they should make sure they trace the bullion vans to their destinations, copy the number plates of the vans and the branch of the bank involved and make such available to us for further action. But until the public start doing this, we might not achieve much in the campaign against these senseless acts”

While responding, the FCT police public relations officer, DSP Moshood Jimoh explained that, “We have said it before that the members of the public should assist us to curtail this trend. If anybody’s vehicle is damaged or destroyed by these bullion vans, such persons should come directly to the FCT command and complain. It is from there that we will trace the number of the vehicle and other things. But we can’t really do much if the affected victims keep quiet about their ordeals. Besides, I want to appeal to drivers that they should endeavour not to drive in the way of these bullion vans. You know, these vehicles drive in convoy and they are security conscious because of the nature of what they carry”.