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Tricycle operators protest against police extortion

By Charles Akpeji, Jalingo
10 July 2019   |   3:26 am
Business activities were again paralyzed in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State yesterday as tricycle (Keke NAPEP) operators protested against police extortion of their members. The operators unanimously downed tools by refusing to engage in commercial activities, which left many commuters stranded while they trekked long distances to their respective destinations. The situation also forced…

In the capital of Taraba State yesterday, tricycle (Keke NAPEP) operators protested against police extortion of their members. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN<br />

Business activities were again paralyzed in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State yesterday as tricycle (Keke NAPEP) operators protested against police extortion of their members.

The operators unanimously downed tools by refusing to engage in commercial activities, which left many commuters stranded while they trekked long distances to their respective destinations.

The situation also forced some workers and students to stay back at home as reaching their offices and schools became arduous due to the protest.

But for the timely intervention of security agents, especially soldiers, who dispersed the protesters, the exercise would have turned bloody as the protesters ensured full compliance of all tricycle operators.

As at the time of filing this report, the association’s office located on Donga road, was not only sealed and taken over by security operatives but many tricycles belonging to operators were also impounded.

Some of the protesters said they embarked on the protest in other to draw the attention of the state government and other authorities to the untold hardship they are going through in the hands of the police.

One of the protesters, who gave his name as Umar, said apart from the fact that they have to remit a certain amount to owners of their tricycles daily, the police were making life difficult for them.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, David Misal, said the decision of the protesters to barricade the roads “was unlawful. We expected them to carry out their protest according to the law.”

The PPRO who said no arrest was made added “we have made them to remove all the barricades and allow for free movement of persons.”

Protests of this kind ranging from killings between Jukun and Tiv, and protest against the Ruga settlement have recently heightened insecurity in Jalingo, leading to the imposition of a curfew.

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