Bauchi protest: Keke drivers block emir’s palace over ‘extortion, oppression’

Keke riders in Bauchi town of Bauchi State have staged a protest and blocked the palace of the Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu.

The protesters sang solidarity songs against the alleged extortion of money from their members by the authorities.

The operators are also protesting against alleged oppression by the officials put in charge of the tricycles by the state government authorities, saying they would no longer tolerate such harassment.

Commuters were, on Wednesday morning, stranded across Bauchi, as the protest affected movement in the state capital.

The tricycles, according to Sahara Reporters, were distributed to the protesting keke riders by Governor Bala Mohammed to ease movements and provide jobs for those who lost their means of livelihood as a result of the ban on okada (commercial motorcyclists).

“The tricycle operators have blocked major roads in Bauchi, and are currently staging a massive protest at the Emir’s Palace,” a source was quoted to have said.

“The protest is against what the tricycle operators call endless extortion by those put in charge of their operations.

“The protesters are chanting songs, saying no to extortion and oppression.”