Keke Operators Allege Intimidation, Extortion Of Illegal Levies In Onitsha
Loading ...By Nedum Noble
Tricycle Operators in Onitsha South local government area of Anambra state have raised alarm over what they described as extortion of illegal levies by some faceless agents in the area.
They said the untold hardship they experience in the cause of their legitimate business has become unbearable.
The operators who had earlier sent a save- our -soul message to the state Government, had closed business for hours to press home their demand, seeking government intervention to their plight.
The operators, in their numbers, carried ply cards with varying inscriptions including “no more illegal collection of levies”, “only IGR ticket from the government we need”, “no more marker” among others.
Speaking during the protest, the leader of the group, Mr. Chidi Nwune, said they paid up to N1,200 to some faceless agents who molest and intimidate them before collecting such illegal levies.
He said they had lodged the complaint to Onitsha South Local Government Authority and the Council denied knowledge of such levies.
Contributing, Mr. Lawrence Okorie, alleged that the faceless youths, at times, beat them up, destroy their tricycles and even molest their passengers.
On his part, Mr. Daniel Onyema appealed to the state government to look into their plight, pointing out that they were in total support of whatever levy approved by the state government.
