By ZAKARIYYA ADARAMOLA

Some transporters and farmers under their different affiliated groups have demanded compensation for their vehicles, produce goods, and lives lost in the wake of the #EndSARS protests in the country.

The groups, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the NUPENG, National Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff & Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN); and Amana Farmers and Grains Suppliers Association of Nigeria (AFGSAN) made their demands in Abuja on Saturday.

In a communique issued at the end of a joint meeting on the development, the unions unanimously condemned the looting, arson, maiming and killing by hoodlums and called on the government at all levels to identify, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators immediately.

They said, “Government at all levels must live up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians wherever they reside in this country.

“The Federal Government should intensify its war on bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, and insurgents so that people can move from one place to another without any fear.

“Members are unanimously demanding that governments at all levels should determine and pay compensation to all those whose vehicles, produce, goods and other assets were vandalized, stolen, or destroyed to alleviate their suffering.”

The unions said #EndSARS protests that turned out to be violent in many states, particularly in the Southern part of the country, led to vehicles transporting passengers, petroleum products, cattle, agricultural products, and others, being attacked, vandalized, and or burnt.

They said that products were destroyed while drivers and their assistants were either maimed or killed.

The associations who expressed concerns that their drives, vehicles, and products are always the targets of hoodlums and miscreants hiding under the guise of protesters, also expressed worry about the extent of wanton destruction, plunder, maiming, and killing that accompany such attacks.

They therefore urged the federal, state governments, and other organisations to come to the aid of the unions to cushion the effects of the destruction on their persons and businesses. (Daily Trust)

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