By Praise Chinecherem
Tricycle operators plying along UNIZIK to Ifite Isu junction, Awka in Anambra State have protested alleged high-handedness of vigilante operatives attached to the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chief Chikodili Anarah, popularly known as Igba ka Igba Amanuke.
The protest followed recent attack on a keke driver by members of vigilante operatives attached to the Commissioner along Ifite Isu junction.
The vigilante operatives, known as Igba ka Igba boys were said to have shot at the keke driver and caused other damages to the tricycle including breaking of the windscreen.
An eye witness who is also a Keke driver, Sunday Okagu described the attack on their member as unjustifiable, unwarranted and unprovoked aggressiion.
“The vigilante operatives have no reason to attack the keke driver. I wonder why government will release arms to people who were not properly trained to manage such,” he said.
Okagu urged government to ensure it only released guns and ammunition to people mentally stable and capable of handling such and not trigger-happy youths who did not have any form of professional training.
Another witness, who preferred anonymity alleged that the vigilante operatives usually behaved like cultists on rampage and called on the appropriate authorities to rein them in.
A victim of similar attack who identified himself as Somtoo wondered if Anambra had turned to a jungle, calling for sanity and proper training for vigilante operatives before arms could be handed to them.
“The day the said Vigilante operatives attacked me, they also damaged my keke causing me to incure unforseen expenses,” he said.
Narrating his ordeal on viral video, the Keke driver said his offence was that he overtook the vehicle carrying the Commissioner in a tight corner to avoid a fast approaching articulated vehicle.
He said, ”I had to take the action to overtake the Commissioner’s vehicle to avoid possibe accident because of the fast approaching articulated vehicle in a very tight corner.
”I was surprised when Commissioner’s boys descended on me and rough handled me, shooting at my Keke.”
