Anambra tricycle operators decry extortion, threats by revenue collectors

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

NNEWI—Tricycle operators successful Onitsha and its environs person decried what they described arsenic “high-level extortion” and intimidation by gross collectors and parkland operators crossed Anambra State.

Operating nether the aegis of the Anambra Keke Drivers Forum (AKDF), the operators called connected Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene and rescue them from alleged harassment, assault, and life-threatening attacks by touts claiming to enactment for authorities agents.

Speaking to journalists successful Onitsha, the group’s Coordinator, Ugochukwu Adiele, said the concern had go unbearable, noting that tricycle riders were regular subjected to amerciable levies and convulsive treatment.

According to Adiele, the extortion is rampant astatine Obodoukwu Road, Atani Road, Onuora Street, Ndida Well, Savoy Junction, New and Old Market Roads, Bida Road, Otumoye Junction, and Nkwelle Junction, among others.

He accused parkland operators astatine the Ogbo Tomato Food and Vegetable Market adjacent Power Mike Stadium, Okpoko, successful Ogbaru Local Government Area, of moving a reign of panic against tricycle operators.

“A peculiar parkland relation astatine Ogbo Tomato uses his thugs to perpetually beat, injure, and extort wealth from us. You situation not question him. Anyone who resists outgo is assaulted,” Adiele alleged.

He explained that each tricycle relation officially pays ₦2,000 play to the authorities authorities and ₦200 per park, but touts exploit the concern to extort betwixt ₦500 and ₦2,000 regular without receipts.

“Failure to comply attracts threats and carnal battle from these thugs who assertion to enactment for parkland management. Over 24 of our members person suffered superior injuries,” Adiele added.

He further lamented that amerciable gross points and pits had been established astatine respective roadworthy junctions without authorities approval.

“Our regular income tin nary longer prolong us. Apart from the ₦2,000 play outgo to the authorities government, we are forced to wage up to ₦4,000 regular to these amerciable collectors. Many of america are present acrophobic to operate,” helium said.

Another operator, Uche Linus, recounted however helium was beaten and chased distant from a government-designated park.

“They forced america retired of the parkland and asked america to run from a swampy country wherever adjacent vehicles can’t function. About 90% of what we gain regular is taken from us,” helium said.

When approached for comment, a parkland relation successful the Ogbo Tomato country told Vanguard that his concern was backstage and not antithetic from what happens elsewhere successful the country.

“This is my backstage business, and I person the close to tally it the mode I want. Any tricycle relation not comfy should leave,” helium said.

Efforts to scope the State Commissioner for Transportation, Patricia Igwebuike, were unsuccessful arsenic calls and messages to her mobile enactment went unanswered.

The station Anambra tricycle operators decry extortion, threats by gross collectors appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.