The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, has condemned the death of one Mr Friday Ani, a keke rider from Umuatugbuoma, Akegbe-Ugwu in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
THE WHISTLER learnt that the deceased died at Garriki, Enugu, on the night of Wednesday, 30th September, 2026, after he was reportedly assaulted by a member of the Garriki Terminal task force of the Enugu State government.
Ohaa condemned the act in a statement issued by his spokesman, Sampson Ukwu, on Thursday.
The release stated that Ani was reportedly hit on the head by a member of the task force “because a passenger he was carrying alighted from his keke outside the Garriki Terminal”. It added that the rider later died at Garriki, and his body deposited at the St Martin’s Mortuary, Enugu.
It was gathered that Keke riders, on the morning of Thursday, 1st October, 2026, staged a protest at Garriki (Afor Awkunanaw) over the death of Ani.
Quoting the release, “Their anger is understandable. Keke riders across Enugu State have continued to complain of heavy taxation and harassment by revenue collectors and touts on our roads.”
Ohaa, in the release, said he is “troubled by this incident and by the growing menace of task forces and touts on Enugu roads”.
Quoting him, “I am deeply pained by the death of Mr Friday Ani. He left home to earn an honest living and did not return. On behalf of Mr Peter Obi and the entire NDC family, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, relatives and the keke riders’ community. No Enugu citizen should lose his life, or live in fear, for the crime of working hard.”
He said if he was elected governor in 2027, he would “end the era of extortion, harassment and intimidation on our roads and wipe the tears of our hardworking people.”
He called on the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, to bring all the Garriki Terminal task force and other revenue enforcers in the state to order.
He said, “The state should ensure a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr Ani’s death, and the prosecution of any person found culpable. The state should support the bereaved family and ensure they are not left to bear this loss alone.”
He called on the state to also review the tax and levy regime imposed on keke riders and other commercial transport operators, and rein in the conduct of those who enforce it. He also called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate and apprehend the culprits.
The statement added, “Ndi Enugu deserve a government that protects them, not one that makes a living a risk to their lives. Mr Peter Obi and Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa stand with the Ani family and with every Enugu worker who struggles daily to put food on the table.”
