Benue: Report any officer demanding money on highways – Police tell motorists
Motorists in Benue State are being urged to report any security personnel who seek illegal payments at road checkpoints, as complaints of alleged extortion have surfaced along the Gboko-Zaki Biam highway.
This call from law enforcement comes amid rising concerns from commercial transport operators about routine collections by security operatives on the route. Drivers have reported being forced to pay amounts ranging from 200 to 1,000 Naira at checkpoints, which adds to their operational costs on an already deteriorating road.
During a press briefing on Saturday, Benue State Police Command spokesperson DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu addressed the issue, assuring that allegations against misconduct would be forwarded to Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu.
“The Commissioner of Police is firmly opposed to corruption and harassment of civilians,” Aondongu stated. He urged motorists to report any police officer engaging in corrupt activities on the highway to the Commissioner through the Public Relations Officer’s office.
“The Command lines are available for individuals to report any officer misbehaving on the road. Motorists should feel encouraged to report any officer who attempts to extort them,” he added.
Despite these assurances, observations from a correspondent who traveled the Gboko-Zaki Biam corridor indicated that the alleged extortion practices persist, with reports of police and military personnel accepting payments from commercial drivers at various checkpoints.
This situation raises concerns regarding adherence to a previous directive issued by the state police command, which called for the removal of unauthorized checkpoints and roadblocks across Benue.
