Dangote tackles illegal haulage on Nigerian highways, arrests 244 suspects
More sanity in terms of the excesses of trailer drivers on Nigerian roads may begin a downward trend following new strategic measures put in place by the authorities of National Patrol Unit (NPU), a division of the Dangote Transport
Otherwise, the initiative of the company in sanitizing activities of its drivers engaged in illegal haulage has stepped up results as the NPU has over a period of time, arrested 244 suspects for various offences inimical to operations of the company.
Còordinator of the unit, CP Magaji Abdullahi (Rtd), gave the indication at a press briefing at Dangote Cement Factory in Obajana, Kogi state.
He said out of the number, 109 have been convicted and jailed while others are being remanded in prison custody for tarnishing image of the company, among them a kingpin, Samaila Yakubu believed to be leader of the syndicate that specialized in stealing DANGOTE Group trucks in connivance with drivers.
Samaila, notorious for terrorising company trucks along South-East and South-South axis was former staff of Dangote Cement Transport Operations Ibese before he was dismissed, and impersonating as Recovery Officer of Dangote Group thereafter.
Abduĺahi said the unit recovered 5 stolen trucks following directives by president/CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote to curtail rampant cases of theft of company products, properties and trucks.
The unit also observed incessant reports of missing tyres and spare parts by drivers and took necessary measures including census of such items while the trucks were being dispatched and checking the items of all the fleet on the return trip.
Accordingly, Abdullah called attention of the public and those who buy used tyres to the type of truck tyres of DANGOTE Group, which he said showcases DO and DI inscriptions followed by some figures and should not be patronized.
He also called on security agents to support Dangote Group’s effort by arresting those who break laws of the company such as reckless drivers, drivers who diverted from approved routes and those unauthorised persons who drove Dangote trucks.
The unit was established in August, 2016 to monitor DANGOTE drivers, reduce incidence of accidents by the fleet and protect road users.
