Tricycle Operators Protest Brutality and Extortion In Onitsha By Obiano Aides

Tricycle operators popularly known as Keke NAPEP riders in Onitsha, Anambra state, under the auspices of Keke Operators Association of Nigeria, Onitsha branch have petitioned the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, over what they termed brutality and extortion of levies by some persons parading as officials of state government and security apparatus in Police and Soldier uniform.

odogwuemekaodogwu.com reports that they alleged that self-acclaimed members of Tricycle workers Association of Nigeria (TWAN), who also claimed to be Keke Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, KORAN, and Tri Wheelers Beneficiary Operators Association of Nigeria (TWBOAN) were collaborating with soldiers and police at Ochanja market, Awada, Okpoko and Upper-Iweka axis demanding the sum of five hundred naira or above while met them plying any of the roads without issuing a receipt.

According the over 100 protesters who shut major roads at Onitsha, yesterday, with placards of distinct inscriptions, military and paramilitary positioned to sanitize the commercial hub of the state off miscreants allegedly sabotage the Governor’s effort since Navy were replaced with them.

Disclosing this to newsmen shortly after the peaceful demonstration, the group leader, Comrade Samuel Ogugua, alleged that the supposed hoodlums have transformed to their advocates or leaders, through which they collect some interventions from government on behalf of Keke Operators.

Comrade Ogugua, who enjoined Governor Obiano to disregard the so-called members of TWAN claiming they are sham, self-serving and selfish individuals.

He said they now brutalize them on daily basis and once they report the incidence to nearby police stations, the security would apprehend them rather to quail the problem.

Hear him: “Whenever you fail to comply with their demands, they would beat you up, confiscate your Keke and send you to cell. They boost of having people in government and military. They even claim to be our advocates or mediators in governance. That is why nothing would happen to them. As a result, we have decided to take to streets, as well as to use you media to easily reach-out to government.”

“Governor Obiano, please come to our help. We love you. We remain loyal to your government. Please, wipe-out these hoodlums here. They over tasked us per second. Most times, one hardly realizes a kobo after wasting fuels. Majority of us have quitted the job due to inability to pay back for the higher purchase…We pay tax, levies and counter levies. They issue us different kinds of receipt. We don’t know which is original because once you turtle to another street, another group of persons in government apron will demand for similar amount or more from you. When you attempt to clear the air, their response would be that you have paid to fake people. We don’t know who is fake or original”.

Similarly, Mr. Isaiah Amah, a-50 years old Keke operator, further alleged that one Eze Ebunafor and Obumneme were leader of the gand.