A massive protest broke out in the Garriki area of Enugu on Thursday morning after a tricycle driver, Mr. Friday Ani, was allegedly killed by members of a task force deployed to enforce daily ticket collections. Ani, a father of five in his early 50s, was reportedly beaten to death on Wednesday night at the Garriki Terminal in Enugu South Local Government Area. The incident has sparked outrage among tricycle operators, who took to the streets, paralyzing economic and social activities in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, the altercation began when a passenger Ani was carrying alighted outside the terminal, triggering a quarrel with the task force officials. The officials allegedly hit Ani on the head, causing him to slump, and he was pronounced dead before he could be rushed to a hospital. A source, Chika Emeh, described the incident, stating that the task force officials were deployed to enforce daily ticket collections. The protesters are demanding that the terminal operators produce Ani's killers.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State has condemned the killing in the strongest terms and demanded justice. In a press statement, the party extended condolences to Ani's family, noting that he hailed from Umuatugbuoma, Akegbe-Ugwu, in Nkanu West Local Government Area. The NDC alleged that Ani was attacked because a passenger he was carrying alighted outside the terminal. The party's statement also claimed that the incident was a result of a "vicious revenue collection drive" under Governor Peter Mbah's administration.
The NDC has called on Governor Mbah to immediately call the Garriki Terminal task force and other revenue enforcers to order. They also demanded a prompt, thorough, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Ani's death, the prosecution of those found culpable, and support for the bereaved family. The party urged the Nigeria Police Force to act professionally and impartially in this matter. Ani's body has been deposited at St. Martin's Mortuary, Enugu.
Reacting to the development, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa expressed deep pain over the loss, stating that Ani left home to earn an honest living and did not return. On behalf of Mr. Peter Obi and the entire NDC family, Ohaa extended heartfelt condolences to Ani's wife, children, relatives, and the keke riders' community. He promised that once elected, they would end the era of extortion, harassment, and intimidation on the roads.
The incident highlights the growing tension between commercial transport operators and revenue collectors in the state. The circumstances surrounding Ani's death remain contested, with some sources alleging that the altercation stemmed from a ticket dispute inside the park. The NDC has linked the incident to what it described as a "vicious revenue collection drive" under Governor Peter Mbah's administration, which they claim has crippled small businesses and subjected riders to heavy taxation and harassment by touts.
Efforts to speak with the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Command's spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, did not take calls or respond to a text message seeking official confirmation. The protest by tricycle operators was marked by demands for justice and an end to what they described as harassment and intimidation by revenue collectors. The situation remains tense, with calls for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible for Ani's death.
Key points
- The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the killing of Mr. Friday Ani and demanded justice.
- The incident has sparked outrage among tricycle operators, who are demanding an end to harassment and intimidation by revenue collectors.
- The NDC has called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible for Ani's death.
