In the Ogbogoro area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, pandemonium erupted when a man associated with a task force reportedly punched a tricycle driver named Esikak Esieme to death during a dispute over a N200 ticket levy.

According to reports, the task force officials flagged down Esikak, who was carrying a passenger, and demanded the money.

However, Esikak explained that he had just started his day’s work and didn’t have the requested amount yet.

An argument ensued, and allegedly, a task force member identified as ‘Osisi,’ said to be a cultist, punched the 39-year-old tricycle driver, causing him to collapse.

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Fellow drivers rushed Esikak to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Enraged by the incident, tricycle operators protested, citing the unbearable harassment and extortion they faced from Osisi and his group.

They demanded justice for their late colleague and temporarily halted operations while marching to a popular radio station in Port Harcourt to air their grievances.

The President of the Tricycle Union in Ogbogoro Community accused Osisi of being responsible for the incident and described him as a hoodlum who had been terrorizing the keke drivers.

The tricycle drivers also expressed their concerns about the ongoing illegal levies imposed by Osisi’s group in the area and criticized the lack of action by the vigilante group and police.

The family of the deceased urged for the release of Esikak’s body for burial while seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding his death.

The state police command spokesperson stated that she had not received a report on the incident but promised to follow up with the Ogbogoro Police Division.