Why Do Nigerian Truck Drivers Tie Live Monkeys Under Their Trucks? Viral Video Sparks Nationwide Debate

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A viral video sweeping across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) has reignited public curiosity and controversy over one of Nigeria’s most baffling roadside practices: truck drivers tying live monkeys beneath heavy-duty trailers.

The 28-second clip, reposted on X by user @Cleverlydey4u on January 11, shows a white container truck cruising along a busy highway with a live brown monkey visibly chained under its chassis, dangling as the vehicle moves. The video, originally uploaded by TikTok user @joelmuskoo, is overlaid with the Yoruba exclamation “Oluku oo!” — loosely translated as “Monkey!” — capturing the shock felt by many viewers.

Since going viral, the post has amassed over 185,000 views, 1,600 likes, and hundreds of comments, with Nigerians and international viewers asking the same question: Why would anyone do this?

Online conversations across platforms such as TikTok, X, and Nairaland suggest the practice stems from a blend of superstition, folklore, and perceived security needs. According to popular belief among some long-haul drivers, monkeys serve as spiritual “good-luck charms” or mystical protectors during dangerous journeys across Nigeria’s highways.

One widely shared claim holds that in the event of a fatal accident, the driver and motor boy are believed to spiritually evade death, while the monkey symbolically “takes the fall.” A Nairaland user echoed this belief, stating that “whenever a fatal accident happens, the drivers and motor boys disappear with the monkey,” reinforcing how deeply mysticism influences interpretations of road tragedies.

Others argue the reason is more practical than spiritual. Monkeys are said to have extremely sharp senses — strong eyesight, keen hearing, and aggressive instincts — which allegedly help deter fuel thieves and vandals, especially during traffic jams or overnight stops. One commenter noted that “before you even think of touching the fuel tank, the monkey has already noticed you.”

Some drivers also reportedly keep monkeys as companions during long, lonely trips, capturing them alive from forested areas rather than killing them. Estimates circulating online suggest that out of every 1,000 trucks on Nigerian roads, about 50 may carry a monkey underneath, particularly in southern regions where species such as the mona monkey are native and culturally associated with intelligence and survival.

However, the resurfaced video has also triggered strong reactions from animal welfare advocates, many of whom have condemned the practice as cruel and inhumane. Critics argue that chaining animals beneath moving vehicles exposes them to extreme stress, injury, and possible death, regardless of cultural beliefs. While the viral clip does not show visible harm to the monkey, concern remains widespread.

Despite public outrage and growing awareness, the tradition persists — highlighting Nigeria’s complex intersection of modern transportation, cultural beliefs, and roadside folklore. Similar videos have circulated online for years, often sparking equal parts humor, fear, and disbelief.

As one viral comment jokingly put it: “Before you see monkey, monkey don see you.”

As the debate continues to trend nationwide, Nigerians are once again left questioning whether the practice is rooted in spirituality, security, tradition, or simply one of the many uniquely Nigerian mysteries that refuse to fade.

Have you ever seen a monkey tied under a truck on Nigerian roads? Is it superstition, protection, or just Naija vibes? The conversation is far from over.