Tension in Maiduguri as Keke NAPEP riders block roads, protest ‘maltreatment’

July 30, 2018Abdulkareem Haruna

Some of the tricyclists protesting

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Hundreds of commercial tricycle riders in Borno state have barricaded all major routes and highways of Maiduguri, as they protest alleged ill treatment by the police in the state.

Though it is not clear what actually triggered off the protest, some of the commercial tricyclists under the aegis of All Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria are accusing the police of alleged extortion.

Their action has since caused massive gridlock in most part of the city.

Army officers have also been mobilised to the streets to chase the commercial tricycle riders from the major junction.

At the Lagos street, soldiers were seen mounting watch on the major junction there while ordering every commercial tricycle to continue driving on.

But one of the protesting Keke-NAPEP members at the Motor Traffic Division of Dandal police station, Bala Isa, said they would not leave even if soldiers asked them to.

“The police have been harassing us too much of late,” said Mr. Isa.

“Dandal Police station is even one of the most notorious police stations where our members are frequently maltreated and extorted over flimsy offences.”

At some point, the policemen on guard in front of the police station fired tear gas canisters at the protesting Keke-NAPEP riders.

Efforts to get the ACOMORAN leader for comment proved abortive.

The police too have not issued a statement on the development.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nnorth-east/278245-tension-in-maiduguri-as-keke-napep-riders-block-roads-protest-maltreatment.html