By Daniel Tyokua
Tricycle operators in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have accused police of extorting the riders in Nyanya- Karu- Orozo axis of the territory.
The chairman of Keke Social Improved Organisation, Suleiman Abdullahi disclosed this to Journalists, yesterday.
He alleged that Police personnel that operate within the area have literally turned the commercial tricycle riders popularly known as Keke into ATM, where they get money.
“The police in this axis are giving our members tough time, anywhere you stop for passenger to alight or aboard, the police will arrest you, and you must pay money.
“We are not finding it easy here, the harassment and intimidation from the police is too much”
Abdullahi urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration to rescue them from the challenges.
One of the Keke operators said: “One other challenge is that of the multiple taxes. If our members carry passenger from Karshi and Orojo to this park in Nyanya, they compel us to pay N100 after dropping the passenger, besides we pay N100 for union ticket and that of AMAC every day.”
Another Keke operator, who identified himself as Solomon, called for scrapping of the numerous keke unions and come up with one, said the issue of extortion needs to be addressed urgently as it is affecting their finance.
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Josephine Adeh said the claim by the Keke riders was not true.
“Anyone that our men are extorting them, let the person bring prove, if there is a prove and the person involved will be punished”.
