There was pandemonium in Ada George area of Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers state as angry bus drivers protested against reoccurring harrassment by police officers and task force in the area which paralysed commercial activities on Monday.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the protest began after a group of policemen stripped a driver identified as Emenike, beat him up and vandalized his vehicle for failing to pay a ‘daily’ N100 bribe.
This incident was confirmed by the Drivers’ welfare chairman, Choba unit, Bestman Chile.
The chairman said a policeman demanded bribe from Emenike but he refused to part with any money.
“He entered Emenike’s vehicle and told him to drive towards the police. On his way, the policeman started hitting him with a baton and fought for the control of the steering with the young man,” Chile narrated.
“After the driver stopped the vehicle, some policemen came and started beating Emenike, stripped him naked and vandalised his vehicle. We are drivers. We can’t fight the police. Right now, the road is blocked. We will block the road like this till when the police come to pay for this damage and treat the young man.” he added.
The protest left several motorists and commuters stranded at various bus stops. Some bus drivers also accused a female cop identified as ‘Mama G’ of continually harassing and extorting bus drivers.
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