Musa Affos (Rhapsodi), Jalingo


The youths of Jalingo, Taraba state capital have on Tuesday staged a protest against the hike in Keke Napep price in the metropolis, police brutality, and also the lingering curfew imposed in the State and to end police brutality.


Rhapsodi Affos Blog RAB reporter who was at the scene of protest gathered that the protesters took off to Taraba State Motorcycle/Tricycle Association of Nigeria expressing their displeasure in the sudden hike by the association, lamenting that the economy is bad and such decisions are not favorable to the youths. In a swift reply, the Jalingo branch Chairman of the association assured the protesters of due action and thereby adding that taking such decisions isn't within his power.


While at the state ministry of transportation and aviation, the youths expressed their disappointments in the hike in Keke Napep price, police brutality, and also the need for the curfew to be relieved. The commissioner while responding to the protesters said he got to know about the hike only yesterday but promised to call the leaders of the Keke Napep rider and relevant stakeholders to sit and look at the issues raised


The protesters furthermore headed to the Jalingo local government secretariat to meet the council boss, Hon. Nasir Boboji. While speaking on behalf of the protesters, the spokesman of the concerned youth, Yimua stated that he is aware that it is within the jurisdiction of the chairman to bring down the sudden hike in the price of keke napep riders in the metropolis.


He furthermore calls on the chairman to advocate on behalf of the youth to his principal to relax the curfew which has lingered for so long.


Responding to the protesters, the chairman said it is not within his jurisdiction to relax the curfew but he will take it to his principal, the governor for proper action to be taken.


He however said that the sudden hike in the price of keke napep riders will be looked into, he also emphasized that democracy has to do with the government and the governed and that part of the right of the government is collection of tax, the tax should be paid.


However, he thanked the protester for coming out to air out the opinions and for their peaceful conduct.


While addressing the protesters, the deputy governor of Taraba state, Engr Haruna Manu, appreciated the peaceful conduct of those protesting and also encouraged them to keep the peaceful conduct, he stressed the fact that their peaceful conduct necessitated him to come and listen to them.


Manu however assured them that their complaints will be related to the governor and he assured them of solving their issues.


Speaking with the leader of the protest, Jonathan Yimua AKA Pharaoh Yimuzy told Rhapsodi Affos Blog RAB reporter that it is unfair that in a state that is solely dependent on salary to experience such a hike in transport as it is not favorable to even students and the average citizens, on the lingering curfew he said it has overstayed its welcome and crippling economic activities in the

state.


Regarding Police Brutality, he added that this is the best time.


The youths have given a 72-hour ultimatum for their demands to be made.


Recall that on a Monday, a hike in the price of pure water and Keke Napep struck the Jalingo metropolis and according to findings, there was an increment in tax by the Jalingo Local Government Council.