A riot broke out in the Woji area of Port Harcourt on Wednesday following the death of tricycle rider, popularly known as ‘keke’, in police custody.
It was gathered that the deceased keke rider identified as PraiseGod John, who was arrested by a team of police officers in the area on Friday, reportedly died in custody on Tuesday night.
The news of his death sparked protests by his colleagues in the area, leading to attacks on a police post inside Woji Estate.
John was arrested for operating at night on Friday, his bail perfected on Saturday but was re-arrested when Police Vulcanizer demanded an amount the deceased claimed was exorbitant after pumping his leaked tricycle tyres.
His cousin, Godbless Monday said John refused to pay unless the vulcanizer accepts the amount others are charging for pumping such tyres, adding that the argument led to a fight between the vulcanizer and John inside the Police compound leading to his re-arrest.
The Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, while confirming the incident, appealed for calm, promising that the command will launch an investigation into the matter.
