By Ambrose Ologide
The nefarious activities of hoodlums operating in commercial tricycles (keke) otherwise known as Awala Boys in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas of Delta state have been on the increase in recent times.
A light complexion young lady who identified herself as Doris Aghante was dispossessed of valuables which include her expensive handset, ATM card and other documents while she was walking towards Hausa Quarter direction in Warri-Sapele Road by a filling station unchallenged in broad day light at about 1pm on Thursday, November 26, 2020.
While the wife of a Delta State Information Officer attached to Uvwie Local Government Council, Effurun also fell victim to the notorious Awala Boys. The unsuspecting wife of the information officer boarded a keke that was occupied by keke hoodlums.
It was gathered that on getting to the Nigerian Army Barracks area of Warri-Effurun Expressway, Effurun, she was pushed down from the speeding tricycle by the Awala boys after dispossessing her of valuables, where she sustained serious injuries in the process.
It would be recalled that not too long ago, two Awala Boys were set ablaze by angry mob at Refinery Junction by Warri-Sapele Road, Effurun.
Other targets of the hoodlums are operators of POS and some of their favourite areas of operations, it was gathered included, Enerhen Junction, Stadium Road/ McIver, Ogboru and Bazunu Streets, amongst other areas.
Those who spoke to our correspondent on the ugly trend appealed to government security agents, especially the police and local vigilante groups to check the menace of Awala Boys.
While advising passengers, especially ladies to always be mindful of the keke they board, they were warned to stop exposing their handsets in public places, even if they had the need to do so.
