Tension In Awka as Keke Riders Protest Arrest of Members by Operation Udo-Ga-Adi (AGUNACHEMBA)

 

 Tension In  Awka as Keke Riders Protest Arrest of Members by Operation Udo-Ga-Adi (AGUNACHEMBA)

Tension heightened in Awka, Anambra State Capital, on Thursday as tricycle operators protested the arrest of one of their members, Mr. Amose Nweke, by state security operatives, Agunachemba, for failing to comply with the security number profiling requirement.

Our reporter gathered that the mayor of Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Prince Chinedu Okafor, allegedly in collaboration with the former chairman of the Keke riders in Awka, Hon. Prince Collins Ozojiofor, alias Snoop, arrested Amose Nweke at Eke Awka for not having a security number on his tricycle.

Speaking to journalists at Aroma Park, a tricycle operator and one of the coordinators of the park, Mr. Uchenna Umeh, said that Snoop, contrary to government directives, arrested one of their park coordinators for not having an Anambra State security number.

“One person, called Snoop, who prides himself as chairman of Keke operators in Awka North and South, and in fact the Awka zone, colluded with the mayor of Awka South. They instructed Keke riders to come to the local government, paint their tricycles in Anambra colors, and get security numbers, against the policy of the state government,” he stated.

He further said that Snoop personally led the Agunacemba team and ordered the arrest of Amose Nweke and other Keke riders.

“How could Snoop be directing the state security outfit if not that Awka South approved of it?” he asked. 

He added that Snoop personally ordered the Udo Ga Chi to arrest Amose Nweke and others at Eke Awka for not having the security number on their tricycles.

According to him, the Keke operators in Anambra State have already been profiled by the government for security purposes, with every operator having their security details with the state government.

"Writing a number on a Keke does not in any way provide security. The number can be changed at any time. Under the state government's policy through Transpay and Oasis, every Keke operator is biometrically captured. The state government has all Keke riders' data, including their pictures, home addresses, Keke numbers, vehicle particulars, and engine numbers. The biometric system is comprehensive, allowing anyone to access the information via a smartphone,” he said.

He said that Snoop and the Awka South mayor cannot force them to pay when the governor has not issued a directive.

“We have over 6,000 Keke operators in Awka. Imagine if all 6,000 tricycles lined up at the Secretariat to get a security number. The mayor claimed he would cover the costs, but what about the time wasted? They said they would begin compliance enforcement in two weeks, and anyone caught would have to pay them. It’s clear that their interest is to make money from the Keke operators, not to actually provide security. It is not as free as they want us to believe. They have printed emblems and identity cards, but the government has exempted Keke operators from needing additional ID cards because we already have government-issued ones. As far as we are concerned, the government has disbanded unions in Anambra. There is no unionism here, and no one can impose unionism on us. We are not going to accept the profiling of Keke operators by anyone other than the state government. We have already been profiled by the state,” he added.

It was gathered that Snoop, who had invaded the Aroma Park at Eke Awka, was resisted by the riders, forcing him to flee, leaving one of the Agunacemba operational vehicles at the park.

Some riders at the park, who spoke to our reporter, said they would not leave Awka for Snoop and his associates.

One rider, Mike Chiwuba, said that when Snoop invaded their park with Agunacemba, they resisted because the security number is not enforced on Keke riders. They forced Snoop to leave, leaving behind the Agunacemba vehicle.

He stated that they could not allow Snoop and his associates to continue exploiting the Keke operators in Anambra State.

"If there were a union in Anambra State today, he should be able to relinquish power to someone else when the governor lifts the ban.

 "Snoop has been chairman of Keke operators in Awka for years, since the time of Governor Obiano. I think it's time for him to allow another person to take over the position when the governor lifts the ban. I was even surprised that he ran away when the Keke riders said he could not enforce any illegal activities at the park. What business does Agunacemba have at the park? They should not undermine the governor's good intentions to fight crime in the state."he added.