The Plateau Government on Monday suspended the operation of commercial tricycles, popularly known as “Keke-NAPEP’’, within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
A statement signed by Cornelius Shioibial, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Special Services, said that the action followed a wild protest by the operators.
“The suspension is with immediate effect; the tricycle operators have taken laws into their hands and we cannot allow this chaos to continue otherwise the situation will degenerate,” the statement said.
It said that the tricycles would remain off the roads “till further notice”, and directed security agencies to deal with defaulters.
The tricycle riders had besieged the Plateau Government House, Rayfield, Jos to protest alleged extortion by government agencies.
The protesters, who moved through Jos town in their tricycles, blocked many roads and eventually gathered at the main entrance to the new Government House, forcing staff and visitors to use the security gate behind the premises.