Polytechnic Students Threaten Nationwide Protest Over Dangote Truck Accident Involving Auchi Graduate
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has threatened to embark on a nationwide protest on Wednesday over the accident involving a Dangote truck and a fresh graduate of Auchi Polytechnic, Ruth Otabor.
The accident, which occurred last week along the Auchi axis in Edo State, left Otabor hospitalised at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.
Following the incident, officials and insurers of Dangote Group Plc visited Otabor in the hospital, assuring her of full support, comprehensive medical care, and appropriate compensation in line with the company’s welfare policy.
However, NAPS, in a statement signed by its Action Committee Chairman, Olasunkanmi Ijaduoye, and Public Relations Officer, Usman Dende, on Monday, announced that the planned protest would involve picketing all Dangote Cement facilities and business locations nationwide.
The students’ body demanded automatic employment for Otabor as an Assistant Director in Dangote Cement Plc upon recovery, the allocation of a three-bedroom apartment in Ikoyi within five kilometres of the company’s headquarters, and lifelong financial and medical security for the injured bike rider.
NAPS also insisted that Dangote Plc provide global standard medical treatment for both Otabor and the injured bike rider, as well as special support for other victims and families affected by the August 17 accident.
The association stressed that the protest is not only for Otabor and the bike rider but also for countless Nigerians who have lost their lives due to reckless truck driving across the country.
The group further demanded the construction of pedestrian bridges with protective barriers across Dangote operational corridors in student host communities, the installation of speed bumps before U-turns near schools and tertiary institutions, and the funding of Federal Road Safety Corps enforcement units around school areas.
It also called for the immediate public disclosure of disciplinary action taken against the truck driver involved in the accident, an overhaul of driver recruitment and monitoring procedures, and the publication of regular safety audits for public review.
NAPS urged Nigerians from all walks of life to support its planned protest, declaring that it is a call to action against corporate recklessness and the loss of innocent lives on Nigerian highways.
The association vowed not to relent until justice is served, Otabor and her fellow victim receive proper care, and safety is guaranteed on the nation’s roads.
It said the protest scheduled for August 20 would mark the beginning of its struggle for accountability and justice.
The statement read, “We demand from Dangote Cement Plc global standard medical treatment for Miss Ruth Otabor and the injured bike rider funded by Dangote Plc, special medical attention and support for all other victims, including families affected in the August 17 tragedy.
“Protest is “not just for Ruth, not just for the injured bike rider but for every nameless Nigerian life already wasted on our highways, for every family that has buried a child or parent because of the recklessness of trucks driven like instruments of death.”
