Keke operators in Anambra State on Wednesday protested at the Unizik junction, Awka, over the alleged killings, abduction and harassment of its members.

Three of their members were killed and one allegedly abducted during a cult clash at the Unizik junction on Tuesday.

The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, claimed that the actions were being carried out by suspected cultists sponsored by the government.

Addressing journalists in Awka, the Coordinator, Awka North and South Keke Drives Welfare forum, Mr Osita Obi, said security operatives were aware of the attackers but could not arrest them as a result of the huge returns the group remits to them.

He claimed that the fees they paid on a daily basis were too much and a financial burden on them.

He said, “A lot of our members have been killed. We don’t want it again. The Keke drivers are tired of leadership imposition and want to be allowed to operate independently.

“Many of us cannot afford to leave in good houses, send our children to good schools and wear good clothes. This is not because we are not making money but the loopholes are just too many and have to stop. We are remitting too much money to cultists who will maim and kill us if we refused to comply.

“We want to state clearly that if anything should happen to any of these us again, people should hold the government responsible because we expect government to intervene.

“The Keke drivers are willing to pay legitimate government revenues, but obnoxious revenues will no longer be tolerated.”

However, one of the protesters, Emeka Uzoechi, said the failure to conduct elections to replace the existing leadership is the reason behind the crisis in the union.

He said, “I am an HND holder from Kaduna State Polytechnic, Zaria. I ventured into this business so as to be financially independent. We want the state government to compel the leadership to conduct a fresh election so we can assume leadership and be in charge of our affairs. When the election is democratically conducted, those extorting us will be removed from office.”

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The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Dr Emma Akpeh, dismissed the claims of the Keke operators that they were compelled to pay certain levies.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ikenga Tochukwu, in his reaction, confirmed that there was a clash at the Unizik Junction which also resulted in the brutal killing of two police officers, adding that 21 persons have been arrested.

He said, “There was a cult clash at the Unizik junction on Tuesday where two of our police personnel were brutally murdered.https://190eac12874a7a2a92163bda0bf03633.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

“As I speak, 21 persons have been arrested and we are profiling them. Some of them have made useful information that will help in our investigation.

“Right now, Awka is peaceful, although I don’t have any information about the protest today. I can tell you that there is a situation on the ground which the police are dealing with.”