Benue State Police Command Urges Motorists to Report Highway Extortion

The Benue State Police Command has issued a directive encouraging motorists to report any security personnel found demanding illegal payments at highway checkpoints. This appeal comes in response to persistent complaints from commercial transport operators regarding routine extortion along the Gboko-Zaki Biam highway.

Allegations of Routine Extortion

According to reports, drivers operating along the Gboko-Zaki Biam route have alleged that they are frequently pressured to pay sums ranging from N200 to N1,000 at various checkpoints. These financial demands are reportedly adding significant strain to transport operators, who are already grappling with the challenges of navigating a road characterized by poor infrastructure.

Official Response from the Command

DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, addressed the allegations on Saturday. He stated that the leadership of the police force does not tolerate the abuse of authority or the solicitation of bribes from the public.

The Commissioner of Police is strongly against corruption and harassment of civilians. Motorists should report any erring police officer who engages in corrupt practices on the highway to the Benue State Commissioner of police through the PPRO’s office.

Aondongu emphasized that the Command has established specific communication lines for the public to report instances of officer misconduct. He assured the public that any formal complaints regarding such behavior would be directed to the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, for investigation.

Discrepancies Between Policy and Practice

Despite the official stance against corruption, recent observations by a correspondent traveling the Gboko-Zaki Biam corridor suggest that the practice remains prevalent. Reports indicate that both police and military personnel continue to accept money from commercial drivers at multiple checkpoints along the route.

This ongoing situation has sparked concerns regarding the effectiveness of previous directives issued by the state police command. Specifically, questions have been raised about the level of compliance with orders to withdraw unauthorized checkpoints and roadblocks across the state.

Conclusion

The call for public reports serves as a mechanism for the Benue State Police Command to address internal misconduct. While the command maintains a firm stance against corruption, the persistence of these reports highlights a gap between official policy and the experiences of motorists on the ground. The success of this initiative will likely depend on the willingness of the public to come forward and the subsequent actions taken by police leadership to hold officers accountable.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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