ABUJA — Chaos erupted at the Apo Bridge today as commercial tricycle (Keke) riders launched a violent protest, pelting armed police officers and task force operatives with stones and sticks.
The clash is the latest escalation in a series of crackdowns led by the FCT Police Command and “Operation Sweep” aimed at enforcing traffic bans on major highways.
The Standoff
Witnesses report that the confrontation began when security operatives attempted to impound several tricycles for allegedly plying restricted routes. In a display of accumulated anger, dozens of riders surrounded the officers, using stones to push back the armed team. The protest temporarily grounded activities at the busy Apo-Gudu axis, with riders reportedly burning tires to block traffic.
Root of the Anger
The violence stems from a long-running dispute between Keke operators and the FCT administration. Riders have accused the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and the police of unprovoked harassment and damaging their source of income. Some operators allege that officers use these raids as an excuse for extortion, demanding high fees for the release of confiscated vehicles. While the FCT has designated suburbs for tricycle operations, riders often drift onto main corridors like the Apo bridge to find passengers, leading to frequent seizures.
Current Status
Police reinforcements have since been deployed to the area to restore order. While there were reports of gunshots fired into the air to disperse the crowd, no fatalities have been officially confirmed as of this afternoon. Commuters are advised to avoid the Apo-Gudu corridor as security forces remain on high alert.
