Anambra Keke Drivers Protest Alleged Police Extortion, DPO Urges Calm
Members of the Anambra State Keke Drivers Forum (AKDF) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Awka over alleged extortion by police operatives in the state.
According to the group, police officers routinely arrest their members over issues related to driver’s licenses and other vehicle documents, often demanding bribes.
The protesters alleged that failure to pay such bribes results in arrests and the impoundment of their tricycles.
Leading the protest to the ‘B’ Division of the Nigeria Police in Awka, the AKDF Chairman, Mr. Ifeanyi Okafor, decried what he described as inhumane treatment meted out to their members.
“Our members are being harassed and arrested by police operatives over the lack of driver’s licenses, especially when they refuse to offer bribes,” “We came here today to report this injustice and appeal to the DPO to intervene.”Okafor said.
He further alleged that officers demand ₦100 bribes from Keke drivers as a passage fee, and those who refuse are arrested and brought to police station.
“No Keke driver in Anambra currently possesses a valid driver’s license, except for those who also own private cars. The state government has neglected this issue for over two decades. Now, suddenly cracking down on us is unfair. If the government wants compliance, it should formally notify us and provide adequate time for drivers to obtain licenses. With the economy as tough as it is, this pressure is making us lose valuable working hours,” he added.
Comrade Osita Obi, Coordinator of the Recover Nigeria Project, also spoke at the protest.
He criticized the simultaneous enforcement actions by police and state revenue agents, describing them as a form of double taxation.
“It is unwise to arrest Keke operators over driver’s licenses while state revenue agents are simultaneously pursuing them for rider’s permits.
Keke operations were meant for poverty alleviation, but it’s now being treated as a government revenue stream,” Obi stated.
In response, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of ‘B’ Division, CSP Uche Noah, addressed the protesters and ordered the immediate release of all impounded tricycles.
While acknowledging the concerns raised, the DPO maintained that possession of valid documents was a constitutional requirement for all drivers and necessary for effective law enforcement, especially in tackling criminal activity.
“Having complete vehicle documents and a valid driver’s license is not negotiable,” “However, I assure you that no police officer has the right to extort money from you. If any officer does so, report them immediately to the station for disciplinary action.”he said.
