By Matthew Kanu
Hundreds of motorcycle taxi riders went on strike yesterday in the northern headquarter town of Makeni paralysing much of the city following the killing of two of their men.
The Public Relations Officer of the Bike Riders Union in Makeni , Abdulai Kamara said the two were killed by armed robbers on Tuesday night, calling on the police to protect the life and property of bike riders. "That is why we are on a sit-down strike with no violence so that people will know we are also important in this community".
Kamara accused the police of "refusing to patrol the outskirts of the city, concentrating instead on the centre of town and entertainment spots."
The Bike Riders spokesman said "such incidents are unheard of in cities like Bo, Kenema and Freetown", noting that when "armed robbers attack bike riders, neighbouring communities are reluctant to help save the lives of the riders that is why in 2013 alone 15 bike riders were killed".
The operations officer of the Makeni Police Division, ASP Mohamed Conteh said the Bike Riders "have genuine concerns but some of them want to use this occasion to engage in criminality". He urged them to respect their union leaders and respect their own regulations on issues such as which areas to ply and at what time of the day or night.
Marie Conteh, a resident of the city said the Okada Riders' strike seriously affected normal business adding, "I now have to walk from one end of the city to the other, this is slowing down my business".
Hawa Esther Conteh, a relative of one of the deceased Bike Riders 22-year-old Patrick Tarawalie, said "we have lost a determined brother who is supposed to go to college next year ". She urged the police to "find the killer".
(C) Politico 23/01/14
