Men of the Nigeria Police Force at Adikpo, Kwande local government area of Benue state, now allegedly collect levy from farmers and others who take their goods to Adikpo market to sell but I know it is not legal and that’s why I am bringing same to your attention.
From GRA to Adikpo market is 7 kilometers and every market day, police would put two checkpoints, allegedly collect money at both the first and second checkpoints from those coming into the market to sell their goods.
In some cases, they allegedly collect only from commercial motorcyclists who convey these people to the market, and in retaliation, commercial motorcyclists transfer the bill to their passengers to enable them recover what the police took from them.
It is hard to see police officers operating in this manner without the approval of the DPO in charge of them. The DPO of Adikpo police station, where the officers mount illegal checkpoints to extort my people, should be called to order.
One of the reasons we see assassinations or murders of police officers in the eastern part of the country is because of police’s excesses. I am afraid that if this alleged growing illegality by the Adikpo police officers and those from other parts of Benue state is not addressed, the war against police in the eastern part may soon be extended to Benue state.
My research has shown that several years ago, because of extortion the commercial motorcyclists in Gboko local government area of Benue state were experiencing from police, members of the union came together and fought the police. Some officers were killed and at that period police could not wear their uniforms while going to work in order not to be identified as police officers by the commercial motorcyclists in the area.
For the sake of peace, love, unity and progress, I am calling on the police authority in the state, to quickly look into this complaint and do the needful to prevent the demonstration of anger against the police by their victims.
Awunah Pius Terwase,
Human Rights Activist/Public Affairs Commentator,
Mpape, Abuja
08171565145
[email protected]
