Benue: Report any officer demanding money on highways – Police tell motorists

Motorists in Benue State have been asked to expose security personnel who demand illegal payments from road users, following complaints of alleged extortion at checkpoints along the Gboko-Zaki Biam highway.

The police made the call amid growing concerns among commercial transport operators over alleged routine collections by security operatives deployed along the road.

Drivers plying the route reportedly claimed they were compelled to part with amounts ranging from N200 to N1,000 whenever they encountered checkpoints, adding to the cost of operating on a road already plagued by poor conditions.

Addressing the allegations on Saturday, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, said complaints against officers involved in misconduct would be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu.

He maintained that the police leadership would not condone the abuse of authority or demands for illegal payments from members of the public.

Aondongu said, “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.

“The Command lines are there for people to report any officer misbehaving on the road. Motorists should report any officer extorting them on the highway,” he stated.

However, observations by a correspondent who recently travelled through the Gboko-Zaki Biam corridor indicated that the alleged practice was still taking place, with police and military personnel reportedly receiving money from commercial drivers at different checkpoints.

The development has also raised questions about compliance with an earlier order by the state police command directing the withdrawal of unauthorised checkpoints and roadblocks across Benue.