Rivers Drivers Protest Against Extortion and Harassment

On Wednesday, commercial drivers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, protested against ongoing extortion and harassment by youths and touts, urging Governor Siminalayi Fubara to intervene. The drivers, represented by Christoph Ezeali, expressed deep frustration over the daily intimidation they face, particularly in light of the country's economic realities.

They called for the governor to ban the sale of local government tickets, which they argue are not authorized under local government law, and to implement an electronic harmonized tax system for better revenue accountability. Ezeali highlighted the dangers of certain roads, referring to Rumuola as a "death trap" and likening it to "Sambisa Forest." The drivers also requested the deployment of special police teams to patrol hotspots and ensure their safety.

Despite their grievances, there was no official response from the government during the protest, leading to concerns about the lack of action to address their complaints.