Nigeria’s Corrupted Checkpoints: A Highway to Extortion

Highway extortion bysecurity operatives in Nigeria persists as a widespread problem, particularly affecting major transit routes in North East and the South-East region, where security checkpoints have become synonymous with corruption and illegal taxation. Corrupt officials exploit their positions of power through intimidation to demand money from drivers and other travelers, despite being paid bythe government to ensure their safety.

Reports according to the Punchng and Primeprogressng indicate that “millions of Naira are illegally collected annually from drivers on routes such as Maiduguri-Gwoza, Maiduguri-Monguno, and Maiduguri-Gubio. For instance, along the Maiduguri-Gwoza road, approximately ₦9.1 million is extorted from drivers each year. Similarly, in the South-East, commuters face numerous checkpoints manned bythe Army, Police, and other law enforcement agencies, where bribery is rife.” Travelers on the Abuja-Jos and Niger-Jos routes encounter 9 to 12 checkpoints where security personnel demand bribes ranging from ₦200 to ₦500 at each stop. Nigerians have voiced outrage, recounting experiences of extortion on highways between Abuja and the South-East, with claims of vehicles having to drop money at every checkpoint to avoid delays. This extortion often leads to increased transportation costs at motor parks, burdening passengers.

The consequences of this systemic corruption extend beyond financial losses. Citizens and activists lament the humiliation, intimidation, and delays caused bythese extortion points, which undermine the safety and security of travelers. Some residents report as many as 25 security checkpoints along the 105-kilometer stretch from Onitsha to Enugu, with security personnel openly soliciting bribes.

Despite repeated orders and threats from high command, the issue of extortion persists, eroding public trust and confidence in security agencies. Stakeholders are calling for decisive action, urging the government to investigate and prosecute implicated personnel, implement preventative measures, and reform the security sector to restore integrity and accountability. Citizens are encouraged to report incidents of extortion, demand accountability, and support broader efforts to reclaim the nation’s highways.

Elisha-Jnr ProCreative

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