Taxi Drivers Shut Down Calabar Over Alleged Harassment By Task Force, VIO, FRSC

By Kelvin Ololo

Commercial taxi drivers in Cross River State on Thursday 26 February 2026, blocked major roads in Calabar to protest what they described as harassment and heavy taxation by government task forces and traffic agencies.

The protest took place at key points in the city, including the University of Calabar main gate, Watt Market, Eleven-Eleven Roundabout, and Stadium Road. The drivers parked their vehicles across the roads, chanted “we no go gree,” and stopped traffic for hours. Many commuters were stranded as movement around the city slowed down.

Just last week, CrossRiverWatch published an investigation on the inhumane treatment and abuse of commercial drivers by the state transport and regulatory agencies.

The drivers accused officials of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and state task force teams of constantly stopping them and collecting different levies. They said the repeated ticketing and charges have made their work difficult, especially with the rising cost of fuel and living expenses.

Some drivers operating around the 100 Marian area claimed they face multiple payments from different agencies on the same day. According to them, this has made it hard to make reasonable profit from their daily business.

Advert by CRWatch :Place Yours

They also alleged unfair treatment in enforcement. Some protesters claimed that certain “special drivers” are allowed to carry two passengers in the front seat, while others are arrested and forced to pay heavy fines for doing the same thing.

READ: How Cross River Transport Agencies’ Untrained Touts Squeeze Drivers Dry To Meet Targets

The protest by the drivers once shows the long-standing tension between commercial drivers and enforcement agencies in Calabar. For many of these drivers, daily income from taxi services is their only source of livelihood. Any disruption affects not just them but their families and the passengers who depend on them.

The Special Assistant to Governor Bassey Otu on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, arrived at the scene with other government officials to calm the situation. He appealed to the drivers to reopen the roads and allow free movement in the city.

Speaking to the protesters, he said: “no more ticket until further notice, no more tasking and enforcement. We will communicate with the governor and he will give us official directive that will favour all of us. For now, our interest is that you leave the road for othe road users.”

In Calabar, taxis remain one of the main means of transportation for workers, traders, students, and visitors. A stable and fair system for regulating them is key to keeping the city moving smoothly.

Since You Are Here, Support Good Journalism

CrossRiverWatch was founded on the ideals of deploying tech tools to report in an ethical manner, news, views and analysis with a narrative that ensures transparency in governance, a good society and an accountable democracy.

Everyone appreciates good journalism but it costs a lot of money. Nonetheless, it cannot be sacrificed on the altar of news commercialization.

Consider making a modest contribution to support CrossRiverWatch's journalism of credibility and integrity in order to ensure that all have continuous free access to our noble endeavor.