ICYMI: Tricycle Riders Protest Against Hash Levies In Calabar

By Kelvin Ololo

Commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders, on Thursday staged a protest in Calabar over what they described as excessive and illegal levies imposed on them by a government task force operating in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The protest, which began in the early hours of March 5, 2026, disrupted movement in parts of the city as the riders blocked major routes, including Etta Agbor Road and Goldie Junction. The operators were seen chanting and honking their horns, preventing other motorists and commuters from freely accessing the affected roads.

Speaking with CrossRiverWatch during the protest, several riders expressed frustration over what they described as multiple daily charges imposed on them by the task force.

According to them, the levies have placed a heavy financial burden on their operations, with collections allegedly extending to weekends, including Sundays.

“We pay ₦700 in the morning and ₦500 in the evening. That is ₦1,200 every day. Apart from that, we are forced to pay ₦100 at every loading point to those standing there. This is too much for us,” one of the protesters said.

The protest temporarily halted several commercial and social activities in parts of Calabar, affecting residents, traders, and students who rely on the routes for daily movement.

However, the demonstration was later called off by the riders, who said they decided to suspend the protest because the state governor was not in town to address their concerns.

“We don’t have a union, and that is why this oppression keeps increasing every day. There is nobody to speak for us,” another protester told this reporter.

Despite the protest monitored by CrossRiverWatch revealed that ticket collections by the task force continued later in the evening.

It was observed that the task force operators had mounted a collection point along Fonton Street in Calabar South, where tricycle riders were seen purchasing tickets.

Meanwhile, a source alleged that the activities of the task force may be linked to some individuals working within the administration of Governor Bassey Otu. The claim, however, could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report