Task force operator punches tricycle driver to death over N200 in Rivers State.

Tricycle operators around the area have demanded justice and an end to the torment their members experience at the hands of task force operators.

Tragedy struck in the Ogbogoro axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday when a member of the task force in the area punched a tricycle driver identified as Esikak Esieme to death following an argument over N200 ticket levy.

According to reports, the task force operatives had waved at Esikak who was carrying a passenger to stop and demanded his ticket levy. However, Esikak explained that he had just started business for the day and he didn’t have the amount requested yet.

As a result, an argument ensued which led one of the officials, identified as ‘Osisi’ to punch the keke driver who slumped.

It was gathered that the 39-year-old was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment where he was pronounced dead.

Esikak’s death prompted the tricycle drivers to begin a protest to express their grievances, saying the daily harassment and torture they suffered from Osisi and his men was unbearable.

The angry tricycle operators temporarily shut down operations and marched to a popular Radio Station (Cool Fm), to demand justice for their deceased colleague.

President of the Tricycle Union in Ogbogoro Community, Ivumba Friday spoke to reporters and accused Osisi of being behind the incident, describing the later as a ‘cultist’and ‘hoodlum’ who has made life uncomfortable for the keke drivers.

He said: “Nsikak Esieme was murdered this morning by one Osisi, a cultist that has been terrorizing Ogbogoro and our people on a daily basis. We have been reporting this matter to OSPAC, even to the police.

“Somebody should come and arrest this particular hoodlum that has been terrorizing keke people. The OSPAC will aid the Osisi in question to escape. Many times he used to break their windscreen in Ogbogoro.

“Our keke people are law-abiding and they pay their levies on a daily basis. Up till now that I speak to you, we don’t know the whereabouts of the corpse of our member that died.”

The deceased elder brother, Lucky Esieme, narrated what transpired, while also demanding that his late brother’s corpse was released to the family.

“When I left work to my house. I saw my younger brother’s wife in my house telling me that on the way he carried a passenger to Ogbogoro junction.

“Reaching there the task force people asked him to give them N200. He told them he just came out and that he hasn’t worked From there they hit my brother in the stomach.

“He fell down, and they rushed him to the hospital. Later they said they took him out of the hospital. Till now, I don’t know where his corpse is. I want to see my brother’s body and know how we will bury him,” he said as he fought back tears.