Motorists plying the Gboko-Zaki Biam Road in Benue State have accused police and army personnel of allegedly extorting business drivers at a number of checkpoints regardless of the deplorable situation of the highway.
The drivers alleged that safety operatives stationed alongside the route demanded between N200 and N1,000 from automobiles, describing the apply as a every day burden on business transport operators.
One of the motorists, Reuben Tor, stated the poor situation of the Gboko-Katsina-Ala Road, which connects to Zaki Biam, had compounded the difficulties confronted by motorists, whereas alleged extortion by safety 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 stated.
Another business driver, Samson Agada, alleged that cops and troopers collected N500, N1,000 and, in some instances, N200 from automobiles passing by way of the highway.
He described the checkpoints as sources of illegal income 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 stated.
A correspondent who travelled alongside the Gboko-Zaki Biam Road noticed police and army personnel at checkpoints amassing cash from business drivers at successive roadblocks.
The allegations persist regardless of a latest directive by the Benue State Police Command ordering the quick dismantling of all unlawful checkpoints and roadblocks throughout the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, who issued the directive, warned that anybody discovered mounting or working unauthorised checkpoints or amassing income illegally would face disciplinary and authorized motion in accordance with present legal guidelines.
Nwadiogbu additionally urged members of the general public to report instances of extortion, harassment and suspicious checkpoints to the closest police station or related safety company.
However, motorists and commuters who repeatedly use the Gboko-Zaki Biam Road stated the alleged exploitation had continued regardless of the directive, insisting that little had modified on the route.
They known as on the related authorities to make sure compliance with the police command’s order and take motion in opposition to any safety personnel discovered participating in unlawful collections.
Motorists have lamented and accused the police and army operatives of mounting a number of checkpoints on Gboko – Zaki Biam Road.
Some of the drivers accused the safety operatives on the highway of allegedly exploiting them with impunity.
One of the motorists who recognized himself as Reuben Tor, stated regardless of the deplorable situation of Gboko – Katsina- Ala Road which ends up in Zaki Biam the extent of extortion is alarming by the boys 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 business driver, Samson Agada, claimed that safety operatives collected N500, N1,000 and least N200 per car from drivers on Gboko Zaki Biam highway, “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 noticed that police and army personnel stationed at checkpoints have been amassing cash from business drivers from one roadblock to a different.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command had lately ordered the quick dismantling of all unlawful checkpoints, roadblocks throughout Benue State.
The State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, who gave the directive had warned that anybody discovered mounting, working, or amassing income illegally at unauthorised checkpoints will face decisive disciplinary and authorized motion in accordance with extant legal guidelines.
Nwadiogbu urged the general public to promptly report any case of extortion, harassment, or suspicious checkpoints to the closest Police Station or related safety company.
However, commuters and drivers who’re plying the highway every day stated the exploitation by the safety nonetheless stay as nothing has modified.
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