By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Trucks Association has denied allegation leveled against their 21 trucks intercepted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday at Bama Entrance Gate Konduga road Maiduguri, allegedly smuggling food and non-food items to neighboring countries.
The association also refuted reports that the heavy duty vehicles were intercepted while conveying contrabands at Gamboru Ngala and Banki border towns.
The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Bako Modu, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing newsmen at the NUJ Press Center, Maiduguri.
Mr. Modu, who stressed that none of the seized vehicles were carrying banned or illegal good to any where, noted that all the vehicles were registered, cleared and given way bills by the Borno State Clearing Agents Association before they set for their trips.
He also said that all the vehicles as at the time of the interception were carrying Dangote bags of cement, iron rods and building materials with specifications based on the new law of 40 toms per truck worth N72 million, adding that both the vehicles and goods worth about N400 million.
He lamented that the 21 drivers have been in EFCC detention for the past three days without any trial.
Modu further explained that all efforts through the association to get bail for the 21 drivers and collect their vehicles proved abortive as the Zonal Coordinator of EFCC told them that EFCC officials acted on directive from the EFCC headquarters Abuja.
He also alleged that some of their properties were even getting missing from the vehicles parked outside the premises of the EFCC and they are yet to get any notice or correspondence from any security agent about their building materials as contrabands or smuggling materials.
He called on the government as a matter of importance to intervene and impress on the anti-graft agency to release their drivers and vehicles which are their hard earned resources that they do business with for over 17 years in Borno state.
The Chairman added that efforts are being made to ensure the recovery of their vehicles and goods as well as release of their drivers through the legal way by their consulting lawyers.
“We assure you that, with the security situation in the state, we don’t intend to engage in any violence or public disturbance but follow the legal procedure to ensure justice is done to us”.
“The association will however not rest on its oars to ensure that justice prevail and fairness takes its course. It has not been also easy for us at this crucial period of economic hardships biting everybody since EFCC seized our vehicles and goods.
“We the members of the trucks association in Borno State have been legitimately doing our business for decades lawfully and complying with the stipulated rules and regulations of the government and security agents guiding our business. We know the law and security situation in the state very well before and during the insurgency,” Modu said.
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