Benue: Report any officer demanding cash on highways – Police inform motorists

Motorists in Benue State have been requested to show safety personnel who demand unlawful funds from street customers, following complaints of alleged extortion at checkpoints alongside the Gboko-Zaki Biam freeway.

The police made the decision amid rising considerations amongst industrial transport operators over alleged routine collections by safety operatives deployed alongside the street.

Drivers plying the route reportedly claimed they have been compelled to half with quantities starting from N200 to N1,000 at any time when they encountered checkpoints, including to the price of working on a street already tormented by poor circumstances.

Addressing the allegations on Saturday, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, stated complaints in opposition to officers concerned in misconduct could be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu.

Aondongu stated, “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 acknowledged.

However, observations by a correspondent who just lately travelled by way of the Gboko-Zaki Biam hall indicated that the alleged follow was nonetheless happening, with police and army personnel reportedly receiving cash from industrial drivers at totally different checkpoints.

The improvement has additionally raised questions on compliance with an earlier order by the state police command directing the withdrawal of unauthorised checkpoints and roadblocks throughout Benue.