Photos: Keke Vandalisation in Aba

A burnt/vandalized Keke Napep

I was engaged in my wanderlust this morning on Okpu Umuobo Road when I saw this vandalized Keke Napep. Keke as it's popularly called in many Nigerian cities is the most affordable means of public transportation in recent years. I returned from the US in 2011 to find it everywhere in Aba and other South East states. It's called other names including Keke Maruwa, for instance in Abuja.

 The picture shows the side of the vehicle vandalized. I wasn't able to reach the keke driver but I found out that it was burnt by mobile military personnel because the keke rider was out after the curfew. I gathered from a Keke Napep driver on Okpu Umuobo, Road in Aba (at Union Bank Junction off Aba-Owerri Road) that they (here military men on the road) had asked them to retire for the day at 6pm. Now, I ask, is this the correct treatment or punishment for a citizen who disobeys the law? Burn or vandalize his property?

Front view of the Keke Napep, opposite the Aba Nigeria (Mormon) Temple (Okpu Umuobo)

 This is the front view of the tricycle. It is believed that the Keke cost about 600,000 Naira in the market. Whoever chose to burn down his own keke for whatever reason (including juju/voodoo/cult) owes the community the commiserate price for that vehicle because we can't go around displaying such crass idiocy. But if this tricycle belonged to somebody else and mightn't be refurbished, I think that the government should investigate the matter and punish the culprits according to the law. In no time, we would be heralding anarchy where men, women and children will no longer be accountable to the society. This is no post to compare military and civilian regimes, but military personnel excesses in whatever form of government shouldn't be tolerated in Nigeria.
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The Keke Napep and another prototype conveying a passenger to his destination

This is how the Keke Napep would be transporting a passenger to his or her destination. And the object of ths post has been deprived that opportunity while the owner is bereaved (hopefully not of human dignity). On a last note, shall we call on the Nigerian police to tow away the vehicle off the road? The sight should definitely constitute nuisance and eyesore to the general public of a civilized society. I'm out!