A yet-to-be-identified keke tricycle operator was beaten to death by ticket levy collectors in Nsukka, Enugu state.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday by Ogige market, along Enugu road.
According to THE WHISTLER, an eyewitness, Michael Oha, said the incident caused pandemonium as tricycle operators blocked the road and even damaged the windscreen of a Hilux belonging to the police operatives that came to restore peace.
Oha said, “The keke operator was carrying passengers. He stopped by the levy collector. The problem was a change of N50, which he was dragging with the levy operator. In the process, another levy collector came from behind and hit the keke man in the head. He fell on the coal tar, landing with his skull. He died instantly.
“It provoked his colleagues who went on rampage. They even located a house belonging to the contractor handling the levying business and damaged it. Police came later, and the riders confronted them as well.
“The council chairman of Nsukka LGA, Mr Cosmas Ugwueze, was also there. He tried his best to calm the nerves of the keke riders.”
An executive of the Keke Riders’ Association, who declined to be mentioned, said, “We want justice over this matter. We expect the governor’s intervention. The man they killed is the breadwinner of his young family. He is from Eha-Alumona.”
The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, who confirmed the incident said, “The lifeless body of the tricyclist has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy, after he was confirmed dead by medical doctors in a nearby hospital where he was rushed to.
“Meanwhile, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and investigations ongoing please.”