Tricycle operators to help police tackle one-chance robberies

Hard times now await criminals who use tricycles for one-chance robbery operation against residents of Onitsha and Ogbaru local government areas, as the commercial tricycle operators in the areas plan to collaborate with the state police command and other security agencies to tackle the menace.

The commercial tricycle operators under the aegis of Anambra Keke Drivers Forum, Onitsha and Ogbaru chapters, noted that there is the need to complement the efforts of the security agencies in riding the state of criminals and criminalities.

They also commended the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu and the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for improved security in the Onitsha, Ogbaru and its environs.

The Coordinator, AKDF Onitsha and Ogbaru LGA chapter, Ugochukwu Adiele, stated this during a press briefing at group’s office in Obodo-Ukwu Road, Okpoko, Ogbaru, on Monday.

Adiele, flanked by the Secretary, Diribe Achuko, and other members, commended the Commissioner of Police for ordering policemen that have been “extorting” them at check points to vacate the roads.

He added that that the reduction in the number of checkpoints is impacting positively on their finance and the CP should sustain the order. He called on other leaders of security agencies, allegedly extorting them, to also emulate the Police Commissioner in making sure their men stop harassing and extorting AKDF members.

He said, “Initially, our daily income was badly depleted due to the numerous pole-to-pole ‘extortionist checkpoints’ on the roads.

“Today, we members of AKDF Onitsha and Ogbaru chapters are progressing in our business and we are using this opportunity to thank the Commissioner of Police Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu for removing the extortionist policemen on our roads.

“Those checkpoints caused unbearable pains on us and rendered the Keke drivers useless. Before we were going home with nothing on a daily basis after work because of police extortion.

“However for the past one week and above, the Commissioner of Police in the state ordered the removal of Police check points from the roads where they stayed to extort money from us. Now things have improved for us; the Commissioner of Police is doing a good work and we encourage him to keep up the good work.

“We are using this opportunity to tell the CP that we will partner him and his men to reduce crime associated with Keke drivers, particularly those who use their Keke to engage in criminal activities.

“Henceforth, any Keke operator who use his Keke to engage in criminal activities of robbing and dispossessing people of their property, including those involved in one-chance robbery will be fished out. We must appreciate this fine gesture of the Commissioner of Police, we must sanitise our operation by apprehending criminals who pretend to be commercial Keke operators.”

 The group also extended appreciation to the security personnel doing well in the state, including the Managing Director of the Anambra State Anti-Touting Agency, Monday Nwekoye.

 The group also urged the security agencies to ensure secrecy and confidentiality in treating information passed to them about criminals operating with tricycle.

 They urged the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to look into the existence of multiple illegal parks used in extorting motorists, saying it is increasingly posing a serious threat to motorists.

 “We are made to pay N1,000 and above each day in those parks we are sure are not approved.

 “Your excellency you promised us that after paying the stipulated taxes to the state, which we are doing, that there will be no other levy on us, but that is not happening, as we are still paying levies at parks, on the roads and places where those park operators are scattered all over Onitsha and Ogbaru LGAs.

 “Places like Savoy Junction, Ezeiweka Road, Nkpor Junction, Old and New Market roads, Ede Road, Enamel by Ede Road junction are were those illegal parks are operated by touts. Some corrupt Anambra agencies operatives are settled in such parks that is why they are still in operation in those places.

 “We are pleading with the state government to tackle those thugs operating and extorting money from us and apprehend the Anambra agencies operatives encouraging them so that there will be sanity.