Motorists Accuse Police, Soldiers Of Extortion On Benue Road

Motorists plying the Gboko-Zaki Biam Road in Benue State have accused police and military personnel of allegedly extorting commercial drivers at multiple checkpoints despite the deplorable condition of the road.

The drivers alleged that security operatives stationed along the route demanded between N200 and N1,000 from vehicles, describing the practice as a daily burden on commercial transport operators.

One of the motorists, Reuben Tor, said the poor condition of the Gboko-Katsina-Ala Road, which connects to Zaki Biam, had compounded the difficulties faced by motorists, while alleged extortion by security personnel continued unabated.

“From Gboko to Katsina-Ala, the road is deplorable, but security personnel continue collecting money from motorists, especially commercial drivers. Enter a vehicle from Katsina-Ala to Zaki Biam down to Wukari, it is worse. Security operatives have legalised the illegality on this road by extorting motorists day and night,” he said.

Another commercial driver, Samson Agada, alleged that police officers and soldiers collected N500, N1,000 and, in some cases, N200 from vehicles passing through the road.

He described the checkpoints as sources of unlawful revenue for the operatives and appealed to the Benue State and federal governments to intervene.

“The police, army personnel turned this road as ATM machines or toll gates to forcefully extort drivers day and night. Drivers are not finding it easy on this road. We appeal to Benue State and federal governments to intervene and address this high level of extortion without delay,” Agada said.

A correspondent who travelled along the Gboko-Zaki Biam Road observed police and military personnel at checkpoints collecting money from commercial drivers at successive roadblocks.

The allegations persist despite a recent directive by the Benue State Police Command ordering the immediate dismantling of all illegal checkpoints and roadblocks across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, who issued the directive, warned that anyone found mounting or operating unauthorised checkpoints or collecting revenue illegally would face disciplinary and legal action in accordance with existing laws.

Nwadiogbu also urged members of the public to report cases of extortion, harassment and suspicious checkpoints to the nearest police station or relevant security agency.

However, motorists and commuters who regularly use the Gboko-Zaki Biam Road said the alleged exploitation had continued despite the directive, insisting that little had changed on the route.

They called on the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with the police command’s order and take action against any security personnel found engaging in illegal collections.

Motorists have lamented and accused the police and military operatives of mounting multiple checkpoints on Gboko – Zaki Biam Road.

Some of the drivers accused the security operatives on the road of allegedly exploiting them with impunity.

One of the motorists who identified himself as Reuben Tor, said despite the deplorable condition of Gboko – Katsina- Ala Road which leads to Zaki Biam the level of extortion is alarming by the men in uniform, “From Gboko to Katsina Ala the road is deplorable but security personnel continue collecting money from motorists especially commercial drivers. Enter a vehicle from Katsina Ala to Zaki- Biam down to Wukari it is worst. Security operatives have legalised the illegality on this road by extorting motorists day and night” he decried.

A commercial driver, Samson Agada, claimed that security operatives collected N500, N1,000 and least N200 per vehicle from drivers on Gboko Zaki Biam road, “The police, army personnel turned this road as ATM machines or toll gates to forcefully extort drivers day and night. Drivers are not finding it easy on this road. We appeal to Benue state and Federal Governments to intervene and address this high level extortion without delay”

Our correspondent who plied the Gboko- Zaki Biam Road observed that police and military personnel stationed at checkpoints were collecting money from commercial drivers from one roadblock to another.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command had recently ordered the immediate dismantling of all illegal checkpoints, roadblocks across Benue State.

The State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, who gave the directive had warned that anyone found mounting, operating, or collecting revenue illegally at unauthorised checkpoints will face decisive disciplinary and legal action in accordance with extant laws.

Nwadiogbu urged the public to promptly report any case of extortion, harassment, or suspicious checkpoints to the nearest Police Station or relevant security agency.

However, commuters and drivers who are plying the road daily said the exploitation by the security still remain as nothing has changed.