Ghanaian Driver Shot and Trucks Burned in Attempt to Transport Food from Niger Amid Security Concerns
Amid the security challenges in the West African sub-region, a Ghanaian driver has been injured in a shooting incident while attempting to transport food from Niger. The incident took place despite the complex security situation in that area. The driver, who is currently receiving treatment at a health facility in Niger, was part of a group of drivers who opted to take the Burkina Faso route to deliver food supplies to Ghana. These drivers had been stranded due to the closure of the Niger borders, which resulted from the military coup in the country, causing tensions with the regional bloc ECOWAS.
According to reports from Joy News, the drivers attempted to bypass the Burkina Faso border after waiting for security escorts in vain. However, before they could make progress, a group of suspected terrorists launched an armed attack on them.
During this attack, it is reported that the terrorists set fire to around four trucks. Massahoudu Dambala, the owner of Damabala Enterprise, which operates approximately 35 trucks for transporting food from Niger to Ghana, shared his account of the incident with Joy News. He explained that the drivers chose to continue driving despite the terrorists’ attempts to stop them.
He stated, “They were waiting for escorts, but when the escorts didn’t arrive, one of the vehicles decided to move ahead. Seeing their success, our drivers also thought they should try. As they started moving, the jihadists emerged. They attempted to halt the drivers, but they refused to stop, unaware of the number of attackers. Gunfire ensued, causing some drivers to turn back and abandon their trucks.”
Dambala further recounted, “Our lead vehicle was in front, and upon reaching it, the attackers set it ablaze. The truck was carrying about 450 bags of beans, and along with it, 3 or 4 other trucks were burned.”
Niger has been under military rule for several weeks following the overthrow of Mohamed Bazoum and his government. The prevailing insecurity has significantly disrupted the movement of goods and people to and from the country.
