1st August, 2011
Bus drivers today in Kaduna joined the protesting commercial motorcycle riders popularly known okada riders over alleged undue molestations by soldiers and police in the state.
P.M.NEWS gathered that the bus drivers and okada riders went on the strike in protest of the regular beatings received by okada riders since the announcement of okada movement restriction time of 8pm.
The bus drivers are unhappy that the police and soldiers have been maltreating the union members for “unjust reasonsâ€.
Effort to reach the road transport union Chairman as the time filing this report proved abortive.
Kaduna State government last week lifted curfew but imposed restriction order on movement of all motorcycles whether private or commercial to forstall Boko Haram insurgence and use of okada criminals to perpetuate crime in the state.
According some drivers who spoke P.M.NEWS at Barnawa this morning, they were compelled to join the okada riders to send signals to the state government that every sector is equally important .
The strike which commenced without any prior notice has seriously affected movement of workers and students in state .
But some drivers interviewed at the Sabo Tasha motor park insisted they would not to return to the road until the state government gives assurance to stop the constant harassment and molestations.
—Adi Femi/Kaduna