Extortion: Keke riders threaten to block major Delta bridge Monday

Commercial tricycle operators otherwise known as  keke riders have threatened to block on Monday July 16 popular Udu Bridge in Delta State over alleged extortion by touts in the area.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as, ‘Say No to illegal parking task force,’ ‘Say No to Agbero task force wrong parking,’ and ‘Go to work.’

Speaking with newsmen, one of the protesting keke riders identified as Anthony Igbebe, said the protest was a warning to the Delta State Government to come address the issues of illegal levies.

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He said failure to do so would result in the lockdown of Udu Bridge, a major access route for residents of Warri, Effurun, Udu and its environs on Monday.

Igbebe also called for the expansion of Udu Road to enable vehicle owners, especially tricycle and motorcycle operators, to park conveniently in order to avert harassment and extortion from the area boys.

Also speaking, Azubuike Alu decried incessant molestations from the touts, adding that the Udu Local Government authority and State Government are not being “fair” to them.

Chairman of the state branch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Peter Edariese, called on the protesters to be law-abiding and desist from the destruction of any properties in the area.