How Kidnappers Operate in Rivers LGA, Says Chair

Chairman of the Ikwerre Local Government, Samuel Nwanosike has defended his decision to put a blanket ban on all activities of tricycle operators in the local government. He said the operators were using their tricycle for kidnap business.

Nwanosike said in an interview that four of the operators who were arrested by the police around the Igwuruta area had confessed to have been using their tricycle, popularly called keke, to kidnap people and noted that he could not close his eyes and watch them continue to terrorise the people.

But the masses have complained and rejected the ban. While some have said that the chairman would have imposed a partial ban-during the night-others have said that the ban would not stop those with criminal intentions.

Callers to a radio programme on Wednesday attacked the chairman for his action which they said was insensitive and a way of punishing the greater majority because of the actions of a few persons.

The authorities in Ahoada West had, a few days ago, banned the keke activities in the area during the night hours. This came after the killing of a DPO. The killers have since been placed on the police wanted list and it was said that the riders used their bikes to perpetuate crime.