The Heavy Duty Haulage and Transporters Welfare Association of Nigeria has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to deploy 20 police personnel to enforce a Federal High Court order. The order, delivered on 13 July 2026, directs the removal of roadblocks and obstructions on federal highways used for tax collection. The association's National Chairman, Oraka Nnaemeka, and Secretary-General, Ayobami Makinde, signed a letter dated 26 August 2026, addressed to the Inspector-General of Police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The court order, obtained by the association, grants an order of mandamus compelling the Nigeria Police Force and the Joint Revenue Board to supervise the removal of roadblocks, blockades, checkpoints, barriers, and other obstructions on federal highways. The order also directs the Nigeria Police Force to arrest, detain, investigate, and prosecute persons or groups found to have erected or operated such roadblocks for revenue collection. The judgment was delivered in Suit No. FHC/AI/MISC/9/2026, involving Ayobami Makinde, Musamad Nigeria Limited, and the Incorporated Trustees of Heavy Duty Haulage and Transporters Welfare Association against the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Joint Revenue Board.
According to Nnaemeka, the deployment of 20 personnel would assist in enforcing the judgment and combating economic sabotage and illegal taxation on federal highways. The activities of hoodlums and unauthorized revenue collectors on highways have imposed additional costs on truckers and businesses involved in goods movement. The association appealed to the police authorities to act on the court order, arguing that enforcement would provide relief to traders, farmers, transport operators, and other Nigerians relying on the country's road network.
The enforcement of the court order is also crucial for the wider economy, as additional charges imposed on goods transportation can affect commodity costs in markets. Nnaemeka added that tackling illegal highway collections would help protect federal road infrastructure and reduce economic sabotage along major highways. The association's efforts aim to address the concerns of traders, farmers, and transport operators who rely on the country's road network for their businesses.
The court order bears the date 13 July 2026, and identifies the case as Amb. Ayobami Makinde & 2 Ors v. Nigeria Police Force & Anor and Joint Revenue Board — FHC/AI/MISC/9/2026. The Heavy Duty Haulage and Transporters Welfare Association's request to the Inspector-General of Police is aimed at ensuring the enforcement of the court order and addressing the issue of unauthorized revenue collection on federal highways.
The issue of highway tax collection has been a longstanding concern for transporters and traders in Nigeria. The association's efforts to address this issue through the court order and the deployment of police personnel are expected to provide relief to those affected. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, is yet to comment on the association's request.
The deployment of 20 police personnel, as requested by the association, would be a significant step towards enforcing the court order and addressing the issue of unauthorized revenue collection on federal highways. The success of this effort would depend on the collaboration between the police, the association, and other stakeholders. Three key points have emerged from this development:
Key points
- The Heavy Duty Haulage and Transporters Welfare Association has requested 20 police personnel to enforce a Federal High Court order directing the removal of roadblocks on federal highways.
- The court order, delivered on 13 July 2026, aims to address the issue of unauthorized revenue collection on federal highways.
- The enforcement of the court order is expected to provide relief to traders, farmers, transport operators, and other Nigerians relying on the country's road network.
