Bayelsa boils as Keke rider stabs commuter to death over N50 fare

Image: Daily Post

Yenegoa was on fire today following the stabbing to death of Edris Douglas by a 'Keke Napep' (tricycle) rider as a result of a minor disagreement regarding a transport fare of N50.

The death of Douglas resulted in a reprisal attack by commuters as the lynched the tricycle rider, setting ablaze commercial tricycles along Saptex junction, Kpanisa, Okaka, and Yenizue-Epie areas of the Bayelsa State capital.

State government and security agencies' officials have continued to appeal for calm while protesting youths stormed the entrance of the Bayelsa State government house in Yenagoa to demand an end to such incidents.

However, a 7pm to 6am restriction has been imposed on commercial tricycle operations in the state.

According reports, Abuja-based Douglas arrived Yenogoa to see his wife who had just given birth before he was stabbed to death by the rider following an altercation over the transport fare.

Witnesses said the victim, who was in his early thirties boarded the Tricycle from Opolo to Yenizue-Epie Community, which according to him should be N100 but the Tricycle rider insisted on N150 which led to the disagreement.

The situation degenerated as natives of Yenizue-Epie, where Douglas hailed from, carried out reprisal attacks resulting in the death of the suspected operator and burning of some commercial tricycles in the area.

Some of the protesting girls said Douglas, was their benefactor who supported them financially, regretting that his killing was a major blow to the Yenizue-Epie community.

Addressing the protesters, the lawmaker-elect for the Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and former Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Oboku Oforji appealed for calm from residents.

Also present were the Acting Chief of Staff Government House, Dr Peter Akpe and the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Agberebi Akpoebi and others to address the protesters.

As of the time of filing this report Governor Douye Diri was in a meeting with monarchs, women and youth groups and other stakeholders of Epie/Atissa communities to restore normalcy to the state capital with a restriction placed on commercial tricycle activities from 7pm to 6am.

Source: readitt.online

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#Keke napep