Tricycle operators in Anambra State on Wednesday protested alleged extortion, harassment and incessant killings of their members in the state.
The protesters who carried placards with various inscriptions alleged that the attacks were being perpetuated by suspected cultists engaged by known government officials.
Awka has for some time become infested with cult activities, most of which are said to be perpetuated by tricycle riders who belong to one cult group or the other.
Coordinator of Awka North and South Keke Drivers Welfare Forum, Comrade Osita Obi who led the protest said security operatives were aware of the sponsors of cult activities in Awka and urged the government to fish them out.
Obi lamented that the government has been foot-dragging in addressing the ugly trend in cultism in the state, especially among some leaders of tricycle operators, who he said always shared monies extorted from their members with some government officials.
He listed some of the levies being extorted from the Keke operators to include end of year party fee of N4,500, ID card renewal fee of N3,500, State Management Code of N4,000 to N8,000, among other illegal levies.
“A lot of people have been killed in this town, including that of yesterday. We don’t want it again. Keke drivers are tired of leadership imposition and want to be allowed to operate independently.
“That many of them can’t afford to live in good houses, sending their children to better schools and wearing good clothes doesn’t mean they’re not making money. But they are remitting the money to cultists and will be maimed and killed if they refuse to comply.
“We want to state clearly that if anything should happen to any of these drivers or to the speaker, people should hold the government responsible. We expect the government to intervene.
“The Keke drivers are willing to pay legitimate government revenues, but obnoxious revenues will no longer be tolerated.
“I’ve met the Transport Commissioner several times on this issue, but he feigned ignorance, but I’m sure he’s aware. I’m not doing this to run any government official down, but to restore sanity in the system. Enough of this exploitation and harassment.
“I’m using this opportunity to thank the Police and the DSS for providing security. We also congratulate the Governor-elect, Prof. Soludo because we believe that as a man with an independent mind he will not tolerate all this nonsense.
The operators who carried their protest to the Anambra State House of Assembly, while wielding placards with different inscriptions were, however, not addressed by any government official.
Credit: Vanguard News Nigeria