Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
An unidentified currency trader has allegedly been killed by men of Rivers state taskforce on road decongestion and street trading.
The incident occurred around GRA junction along Aba – Port Harcourt expressway, Rivers state, on Tuesday evening.
The Rivers state taskforce on road decongestion and street trading visited the area during its operation and arrested the late currency trader.
An eyewitness said the currency trader who is suspected to have been hypertensive died while being dragged my men of the taskforce.
READ ALSO : Court adjourns case seeking to stop APC congresses in Rivers state to March 30
The eyewitness who gave his first name as Chijioke said, “the zone 7 team of the taskforce that has been troubling this area came here and killed a Hausa man.”
“The Hausa man came from slaughter area to this place to see his brother. While he was standing here the taskforce guys came and held him.”
“They started beating and dragging him. The man collapsed and died in their hands and they all ran back into their vehicle and drove away. The man was said to be hypertensive.”
One David Simon, who is familiar with the operations of the Rivers state taskforce on road trading said the taskforce molests traders at the GRA junction regularly.
READ ALSO : Lawmaker tells federal government to revitalize ALSCON
“They visit this area regularly and arrest people.”
“They came earlier today and arrested an old man here. They took him and returned him later after they had beat him to a pulp. We are not hawking, we only stand here and ask people if they want to change money, but this taskforce attacks us everyday.”
“When they come here and arrest anybody, the person will bail himself with N120,000. And they keep coming here to arrest people. Right now they have over seven people they arrested here in their custody.”
When contacted at press time, the Public Relations Officer of Rivers state police command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said he would speak on the development later.
