Pandemonium broke out yesterday in World Bank Housing Estate, in New Owerri area when Policemen clashed with motorcyclists and tricyclists otherwise called keke riders.
Trumpeta learnt that heavy traffic and shutdown of business outlets were witnessed in the affected areas when the rampaging Keke riders took laws into their hands to make bon fires and block the main roads leading to the Estate.
Though the cause of the clash has not been made public but unconfirmed sources told Trumpeta that one of the Government agencies incharge of beautification and cleaning of Owerri, the Imo State Capital, while on patrol of the roads with police team apprehended a keke rider who was not expected to go beyond the marked areas for motorcyclists. Pleadings from the young man yielded no result as the government agents and police back-up refused his plea. Angered by the scenario, other keke riders watching the unpleasant scene mobilized and came together to the rescue of their colleague held captive by the Rampaging Task Force. In the process, the nabbed rider was left off the hook. The action further sparked a row leading to protest. A police team who came to the scene withdrew but returned with more patrol teams to affect arrests of the disturbing riders.
Efforts to reach police to speak on the matter proved abortive as at press time.
