A member of the Delta State Revenue Task Force team simply identified as Tunde has allegedly strangled a Keke rider, Augustine Williams, to death.
Tunde, popularly known as Osama, reportedly strangled Williams during a heated argument over ticket levy in Sapele.
Matters came to head on Tuesday evening, along Awolowo area as Tunde was said to have stopped Augustine’s tricycle demanding the daily revenue levy.Sources, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that a heated argument ensued as Tunde attempted to seize the tricycle key.
In an attempt to stop him, Augustine grabbed Tunde’s hand, as the situation degenerated into a brawl.
Shockingly, amidst the melee, Tunde was alleged to have grabbed his neck causing him to collapse in distress.
“He was shaking uncontrollably and we managed to revive him briefly before rushing him to the hospital,” an eyewitness said. Doctors were said to have declared Augustine dead on arrival.
The incident sparked outrage among onlookers, with fellow Keke drivers citing daily harassment and extortion at the hands of the revenue task force.
With tension mounting, the angry riders who had mobilised other Keke and Okada riders were about hitting the streets for protest when the police stopped them.
Ese Agbamitor, a fellow Tricycle rider, who voiced his frustration, accused the revenue team enforcers of creating an unbearable environment.
