As part of the ongoing measures to sustain the onslaught against unknown gunmen in Anambra State, the Awka South local government area has started profiling Keke riders in the capital city.
The chairman of the Awka South local government area of Anambra State, Chinedu Okafor, said the introduction of the new profiling code for all the tricycles in Awka was to ensure that criminals do not infiltrate the camp.
The profiling of Keke riders include digital documentation of all Keke riders, introduction of identification number and stickers which enables security agencies and tricycle operators and general public to identify any Keke in the case of crime.
However factions within the tricycle operators in Awka assumed very dangerous dimension when some of the factions opposed the introduction of the profile number.
As a result of the opposition to the introduction of new profile code, crisis erupted when some of the operators accused the council chairman of trying to extort money from them.
One of the victims of the crisis, Nwali Chukwuma who plies Aroma to Eke Awka who was attacked and his Keke seized narrated his ordeal in the hands of the thugs.
He said he was arrested for printing the profile number of the Awka South local government area and expressed satisfaction that the exercise was to know all the Keke riders in the capital city.
“They accused me of sabotage and banned me from loading from the park at Aroma after attacking me and seized my Keke for several days.
“Later the Commander of Ocha Brigade came and released my Keke and promised to offset all expenses that I made when I had that face off with them and it is not only me but a lot of us were victims”.
Also speaking, Uramma Martin Chizoba described the profiling as one that has instilled confidence on the Keke Operators, adding that this issue of touts harassing their members is a thing of history.
Ikechukwu Okeazor who is also a Keke operator, noted that they have a digital copy of all the operators registered in Awka Capital adding that they shall continue to assist the Awka South local government Chairman to fish out the criminal elements among them.
