As the holiday season sets in, the usual extortion and inconveniences caused motorists and passengers on the highway are at their peak.
Nigerians are once again forced to confront the harsh reality of rampant extortion by different security agencies on the nation’s highways.
Despite official claims of ignorance, an increasing number of motorists and travellers are becoming victims of harassment, intimidation, and even unlawful detention by security agencies manning roadblocks.
Many holidaymakers end up being extorted and even detained or their vehicles seized at the slightest whimper by security agents on the nation’s highways.
Season of exploitation
With the alarming presence of security forces at every turn, it’s clear that the festive season has also become a season of exploitation.
Notably, the highways are scenes of several security agencies that mount roadblocks at very short distances. Worse still, criminals and kidnappers have continued to hold sway, despite their presence.
Many Nigerians and foreigners have tales of woe over the disturbing trend of events. There are numerous accounts of victims who have endured these brutal encounters, shedding light on the untold suffering many face while navigating the very roads meant to keep them safe.
From unexpected vehicle seizures to demands for huge bribes, the stories are endless and chilling.
In the face of this injustice, the question arises: Why are these abuses allowed to flourish, unchecked?
However, the police authorities in a swift reaction, said policemen were not sent out to extort or harass motorists or travellers, saying deployment of policemen to highways was solicited by state governors.
Victims’ accounts
– Reps to security agencies
But one of the victims of police extortion, an engineer, resident in Lagos, who pleaded anonymity, narrated his pitiful encounter along one of the highways.
He recounted: ‘’As I embarked on a journey from Lagos to the Eastern part of Nigeria, I was filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
“The excitement stemmed from the prospect of reconnecting with family and friends, while the trepidation was rooted in the notorious reputation of Nigeria’s highways.
‘’My experience would later confirm my fears, as I encountered a plethora of security operatives, including police, military, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and Customs personnel, who seemed more interested in lining their pockets than ensuring the safety of travellers.
‘’I also ran into groups of dishevelled-looking youths who claimed to be local government officials asking after vehicle licenses and tax receipts in virtually all the areas I traversed.
“The extortion spree began almost immediately after I left Lagos. At nearly every checkpoint, I was stopped by security operatives who demanded bribes, often under the guise of ‘routine checks’ or ‘security protocols.’
‘’The amounts varied from N200 to N500, but the persistence and audacity of the operatives were consistent.
Harrowing experience at Ore
‘’One particularly harrowing experience occurred at a police checkpoint in Ore, Ondo State, where an officer who claimed to be searching for ‘stolen vehicles,’ demanded that I produce my car’s papers.
‘’After scrutinizing the documents, he declared that my vehicle’s registration had expired, despite my protests that it was still valid. The ‘fine’ for this alleged infraction? A whopping N10, 000. It was clear that this was nothing more than a shakedown, and I reluctantly parted with N2,000 to avoid further hassle.
“Similar experiences played out at military checkpoints in Asaba, Delta State, and Customs checkpoints in Onitsha, Anambra State. At each stop, I was forced to part with some amount of money, simply to avoid being delayed or harassed further.
‘’As I continued with the trip, I also encountered battle-ready officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, who blocked the road with their official vehicle frantically searching almost every vehicle plying the highway.
‘’The resultant effect is that many holiday makers are seen desperately pleading to be left to take their families home and by so doing, they are forced to part with various amounts of money, based on frivolous claims by the officers.”
Multiple complaints
A check by Vanguard on the X platform revealed multiple complaints from Nigerians raising alarms over the numerous checkpoints manned by security operatives reportedly extorting money and asking for unnecessary documents from motorists in an attempt to further exploit them.
One of such travellers, journeying from Abuja to Enugu with Peace Mass Transit, shared a harrowing experience on X, explaining how police in Enugu State used a Point of Sale, POS machine to collect N1million from his younger brother after kidnapping him and taking him to a nearby bush.
The X user, with the username Mr_Robmichael1, wrote: “They stopped the @PMTNigeria bus he was travelling in and asked all passengers to get down for a stop-and-search. My brother got down with his luggage but left his smaller bag on the seat.
‘’They (policemen) turned the story around, claiming he was hiding something inside. They found only perfumes and body spray when they opened the small bag. They then opened his main box, searched it, and discovered his medications.
‘’He explained that he was taking antibiotics for a cold. They also found both an i-Phone and an Android phone, prompting them to label him a fraudster.
“They told him they would take him to the EFCC, and he agreed. They instructed the bus driver, @PMTNigeria, to leave, and he did. They then drove my brother to the EFCC roundabout, making three turns.
‘’They told him to settle the matter or they would take him in. He responded that they should go ahead and do that. Then, they left the EFCC roundabout, drove him to a nearby bush and threatened to kill him if he didn’t pay them N3million.
‘’He explained that there was no money in his account. Unfortunately, a credit alert notification popped up on his phone. They saw it and became angry with him for lying about not having money.
‘’They pointed a gun at him and forced him to open his phone and bank app, which he did. They saw that he had a balance of N1million and drove him to a nearby POS shop where they withdrew all the money from his account. Since he was traveling to Umuahia, they dropped him off at Peace Mass Park in Garki.”
Another X user, named Dolapo, shared his harrowing experience on X, detailing how he escaped the claws of men of the Nigeria Police Force after revealing his identity: “Usually, when I go out, I am never alone. I have a security detail, and most times I wear a touch of camo, so I have never been bothered.
‘’Tonight, I decided to just freestyle and go out by myself. Went to this rave, had fun, and decided to check out another spot.
“My cab had just pulled up when a police officer walked up to me. He had his weapon raised, so I told him to, at least, lower it if we were going to have a conversation. He pushed me aggressively, and as a soldier, my first instinct was to protect myself.
‘’I quickly shoved his weapon aside. Right then, two other police officers joined, and one even shot his weapon. Like that was going to scare me, lol. I guess that threw them off, and a fight with three of them ensued. And because they couldn’t take me down, I was now getting pepper-sprayed.
‘’Before I knew it, three police officers were on me. I didn’t even want to identify myself as anything other than a regular civilian, but I guess from the ‘accent’ they thought I could be intimidated.
‘’They were saying I’d be taken to the station, lol. Ten minutes had passed when four men arrived—three in military uniforms and one in civilian clothes. As soon as they asked what was going on, that was when I told them who I was.
‘’The dynamic of the whole situation changed. The police officers started acting nice and wanted to listen. I just told the military guys that I wanted to go back to my hotel. One of the officers offered to have his men take me, but I declined. At that point, I was just too upset. They helped flag down a taxi, and now I’m on my way as I type this.”
Vanguard Report
