Keke riders cry out over extortion, charges by Yobe agency

Tricycle (Keke NAPEP) riders in Damaturu, Yobe State, have expressed worry over the alleged extortion of money from them and “unnecessary” charges by the officials of the Yobe State Traffic Management Agency (YOROTA).

 The riders lamented that in some instances the officials were so harsh and put unnecessary pressure on them.

Abubakar Yahaya, one of the operators, said, ‘‘These YOROTA officials should be called to order either by Governor Mai Mala Buni or by the general manager of the agency. They have been extorting money from us, and in some instances they create unnecessary charges of around N40,000 or N20,000 and force us to pay.

 ‘‘Some operators are finding it difficult to feed their families, and many of the tricycles are not ours. We use to pay back daily, some weekly, the owners of these bikes.’’

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Babagana Tijjani, another rider, said the major responsibilities of YOROTA was to ensure that motorists complied with traffic rules and regulations, but that the officials were not doing what they employed them to do, but rather concentrate on their operations.

 Several efforts by our correspondent, including several visits to the YOROTA office in Damaturu, to speak with the general manager on the allegations proved abortive.