By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Members of the Keke Drivers Union in Awka, Anambra State have again raised alarm over the resurgence of cult-related attacks targeting their members, both at their parks and at home.

In recent weeks, drivers operating at Aroma Park in Awka have reportedly suffered multiple assaults by suspected cultists, leaving some injured.

To this end, the union is urging the state government and relevant security agencies to take swift action before the situation escalates and leads to loss of life.

Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Secretary of the Keke Drivers Association in Anambra State, Comrade Uchenna Umeh, recounted several troubling incidents that appear to be connected.

He said: “I believe the attack last week and the one that occurred in February are related,

“Last week at Eke Awka Park in Aroma, four men entered through the back gate in an unregistered tricycle. After spending some time inside, they attempted to leave through the main entrance. When our fee collector asked them to pay the park fee as required in our privately managed park, they refused and began beating him. When he defended himself, one of the men pulled out a pump-action gun and fired into the air. Thankfully, no one was hurt.”

“Later that same evening, they went to the home of one of our members, Mr. Samuel Nnabuogu, beat him severely, and inflicted multiple head and body injuries. They also robbed him of his day’s earnings. He is currently undergoing medical treatment.”

He linked the incidents to an ongoing dispute with Chukwuka Nwalen, a former park member originally from Ebonyi State, noting that Chukwuka repeatedly violated park rules by picking up passengers outside designated areas, thereby undermining the queuing system put in place to ensure fairness.

“When we confronted him, he threatened one of our members, Ernest Attah, saying he would bring people to ‘deal with him. When we attempted to move his tricycle back into the park to resolve the issue, he violently resisted,

“The incident was reported to the Central Police Station (CPS) in Awka.

“We filed a report with Sergeant Uju and we were instructed to tow Chukwuka’s tricycle to the station, which we did at a cost of N20,000. However, after a month, we received no updates from the police, and Chukwuka never returned to address the matter,” Umeh stated.

Umeh further revealed that Chukwuka later returned to the park with a different tricycle and continued to disregard the rules. “When he was apprehended again and taken to CPS, he was granted bail the same day, and the police promised to investigate further.”