Massive Gridlock as Truck Drivers Block Lagos-Ore-Benin Expressway Over Alleged Police Extortion

June 24 () — Traffic along the Lagos-Ore-Benin Expressway was disrupted on Wednesday after truck drivers blocked the Oniparaga axis of the highway in protest over alleged extortion by police officers in Ondo State.

The action caused a massive gridlock that left motorists, commercial drivers, and passengers stranded for several hours on the busy interstate route, with many travellers forced to endure long delays as movement ground to a halt.

Witnesses said the truck drivers parked their vehicles across sections of the road, preventing the free flow of traffic and triggering congestion that stretched several kilometres along the highway.

The protest reportedly stemmed from allegations by the truck drivers that some police officers operating along the route had been subjecting them to extortion and harassment.

The development quickly attracted attention on social media, where videos and photographs of the traffic situation circulated widely.

Many affected commuters appealed to the authorities to urgently intervene and restore normalcy, lamenting the hardship caused by the disruption.

Some travellers said they missed important appointments and business engagements due to the prolonged gridlock.

However, the Ondo State Police Command has denied claims that the road blockade was a protest against police extortion, describing reports linking the incident to alleged misconduct by officers as false and misleading.

In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the police said preliminary investigations revealed that the disruption was caused by the actions of a tanker driver following a disagreement with officers carrying out lawful duties.

According to the statement, the tanker driver deliberately obstructed the highway, resulting in the traffic congestion witnessed on the route.

“The attention of the Ondo State Police Command has been drawn to reports circulating on social media alleging that truck drivers blocked the Lagos-Ore-Benin Expressway in protest against police extortion.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the incident was caused by a tanker driver who deliberately obstructed the highway following a disagreement with officers performing lawful duties,” the statement said.

The command maintained that the incident was not connected to any organised protest against police activities and urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misinformation.

To address the situation, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, ordered the deployment of additional personnel to the affected area to restore order, manage traffic, and ensure the safety of commuters and other road users.

The police said officers were immediately mobilised to clear the obstruction and ease the traffic situation while maintaining law and order along the corridor.

The command further appealed to residents and travellers to remain calm and rely on official channels for verified information concerning security-related developments in the state.