Hundreds of commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as keke riders, staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday at the Delta Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) head office in Warri.
The protesters were protesting police harassment, extortion, and illegal arrests of their members.
They blocked part of Airport Road, obstructing traffic while singing solidarity songs. When their concerns were not addressed at the revenue office, they moved to other parts of the town.
The riders carried placards with messages such as, “Police leave Keke riders alone” and “Government, please provide us jobs.”
They claimed police in Warri and surrounding areas harass them daily with illegal arrests and extortion.
The tricyclists warned that the situation could escalate into a crisis if government agencies do not intervene.
One protester, Mr. Jeffery Akioja, alleged that police set up roadblocks and collected illegal fees daily. He also accused police of faulting their plates, claiming some plates are not registered in the government database.
“Today, we protested at the Delta licensing office because of harassment, illegal arrests, and extortion. Enough is enough,” he said.
Akioja added that most riders bought their tricycles on hire purchase, paying between N8 and N9 million in installments, yet they still face illegal taxation.
“If police stop you and demand money, you might be forced to pay N10,000. If you don’t have it, they take you to the station,” he explained.
Mr. Wisdom Omote recounted his own experience, saying police harassment is intolerable. “They checked my documents, which were correct, but claimed my plate number lacked a paper,” he said.
Mr. Sunday Eyekpimi questioned why police continue to harass them, insisting their plates are properly registered. “Our plates are valid, so why do police claim they are not in the system?” he asked.
In response, SP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Delta Command, told reporters via WhatsApp that the police had not received any complaints about extortion.
“Not a single complaint has been received. If there are any with specific details, our lines are open every day,” Edafe stated.
