By Phil Okose, Onitsha
No fewer than 50 drivers were reportedly beaten up by suspected touts who demanded payment of multiple levies from them in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday.
The touts, numbering over 30, were said to have violently attacked most of the drivers who were commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators, damaging their tricycles and motorcycles in the process.
Reacting to the incident, Chairman of United Commercial KEKE NAPEP and Motorcycle Riders Association (UCKEMORAN) Anambra State Chapter, Chief Arinze Igbanuka, alerted that, “these touts after attacking the drivers on daily basis, go scot-free and we say no to that”
“There is no day that passes without , 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 drivers being attacked by the touts who collect multiple levies from the drivers and as a result we are going to partner with the State
government to stop these touts”
According to him, “because of the serious injuries the drivers sustained, our plan to kick-off war against these touts who armed themselves with guns, machetes, clubs, among others is billed for Friday in Awka, the Anambra State capital, has been postponed to 3rd September in Onitsha, to enable us treat the injured drivers”.
Igbanuka maintained that the union’s main objective is to sanitize Keke transportation in the State, adding that their target is to tackle and stop all manners of illegal levies being collected from Keke operators, ensuring payment of government approved revenues, fight criminalities by building a perfect synergy with police and other security agencies, as well as introduce a good welfare package to take care of all Keke operators in the State.
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