A rider with the online taxi operator, OPAY was on Monday shot dead near OPAY office off Two Lanes in Uyo. The victim whose name cannot be ascertained as at press time died from gunshot wounds.
Eye witness said the victim was hit by police fired ammunition where OPAY agents had protested non payment of salaries.
“here was argument between some protesting OPAY promoters and a policeman at the OPAY office near Uranus hotel. The situation turns bad when one of the protesting agents started to video the demonstration and the police ask him to stop. He used his rifle butt to push the guy and a struggle ensued. Then came gunshot but the bullet got to the OPAY Keke rider on the leg as the intended target dodge. He died of severe bleeding before receiving medical attention.” A meat vendor said.
The victim, two witnesses confirmed was a new operator that was awaiting activation on Monday to commence operation with the online taxi operators, OPAY.
Effort to reach OPAY management staff was unsuccessful as a contact at the premises assured audience in the morning.
Meanwhile the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Odiko MacDon said he was yet to be briefed about the incidence.
OPAY Keke ride has become very popular recently in Uyo especially as residents enjoy very low fare of N70 from service operators compare ₦300 and ₦250 regular charges for a drop by Keke taxi.
OPAY promoters are contracted vendors who go into town promoting OPAY app usage by assisting members of the public download and install OPAY app on their Mobile devices.