The protest led to a traffic standstill as the demonstrators blocked the Airport Junction and the Effurun Roundabout in Effurun, located in the Uvwie Local Government Area.
The protesters, carrying placards with the message 'We say No to fake tickets', pledged to continue their demonstration until the issue is addressed by the appropriate government agencies. They voiced their dissent through a solidarity chant, 'We no go gree, We no go gree!'
In a conversation with a Prime 9ja Online correspondent, a protester, who identified himself as Capable, claimed that they are being coerced into purchasing counterfeit tickets by touts, even though Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has not authorised the sale of tickets to tricycle operators.
He explained that the protest was triggered by the touts' aggressive behaviour, which included physical assault and injury to one of their members.
Saturday Dele, another tricycle operator, echoed Capable's claims in a discussion with the correspondent. He pointed out that the tickets, which bear the date 2024, are being forcibly sold to them at a price of N300. Dele warned that any tout found selling these counterfeit tickets to their members would face severe consequences.
He appealed to Governor Oborevwori to intervene in the situation before it escalates further. As of the time this report was filed, the protest was still ongoing, with police officers on the scene attempting to prevent any breach of law and order.