Obiano’s taskforce cane, extort commuters , seize phones

Following the fear of planned closure of Eke Awka market by Governor Willie Obiano led administration on Monday, some cane welding youths have invaded Eke Awka to enforce wearing of facemasks.

The youths suspected to be loyal to the ‘Executive’ Chairman of Eke Awka, Chief Agummadu aka Baby Awka forcefully collect phones from passersby without facemasks or those wearing it on their jaws until they pay fine ranging from N1,000 to N200 depending on what available cash on you.

They even negotiate it after asking you to drop your phone in a bucket , they start by asking you how much you have to bail yourself.

They were battle ready and some were unlucky as they used their canes on them.

A victim narrated his ordeal : ‘ on my way towards Eke Awka round about, some men rushed me and asked me to hand over my phone to them. I asked them what the problem but no one answered. They later said I did not wear facemask, even when it was hung on my jaw.

As we argued it, I observed they were flogging people up and down, harassing people, for no reason.

‘I was angry and ready for any showdown even when I was alone as people were interested, going about their businesses, I said to them but I was wearing face mask. No one responded, so I had to start protesting, challenging them that I cannot hand over my phone to them, noticing that I was making so much noise they had to let me go’.

Obiano should call the leaders of Eke Awka to checkmate that illegality as it is painting the state in a bad light.