Tricycle and Motorcycle Riders Protest Against Police Harassment in Delta 🚲🚔

In a significant display of solidarity, members of the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners/Riders Association (NACTOMORAS) in Delta State took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against ongoing police harassment. The peaceful demonstration, held at Udu Road in Udu Local Government Area, was sparked by allegations that officers of the Delta State Police Command have been harassing and obstructing their lawful business activities. The protesters voiced their concerns about the severe impact of police actions, citing the tragic death of a member in 2015 and the seizure of over 150 tricycles and motorcycles worth more than N150 million. These actions, they argue, are part of a broader pattern of harassment that has persisted despite recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission in 2022. The commission had advised the police to cease their harassment and to compensate the deceased member’s family with N8 million. However, the association claims that these recommendations have not been acted upon.

National Public Relations Officer of NACTOMORAS, Goodwin Ikolo, emphasized the group's frustration with the police’s treatment of their members, describing it as high-handed and unjust. He accused the Delta State Ministry of Transportation and rival associations of colluding with the police and recruited thugs to obstruct their operations. Ikolo, along with other officials Felix Mamakpacha and Evangelist Solomon Isukuru, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene in the matter. They believe that a direct appeal to the President and Governor will bring much-needed attention to their plight and prevent further escalation.

In response, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe stated that the police only recognize bodies officially known by the state government. Edafe added that the association is proscribed in Delta and unknown to the state authorities. He suggested that NACTOMORAS should seek legal recourse to enforce their rights if they wish to operate in the state.