Cross River motorists allege police extortion at Calabar checkpoint

Residents and motorists in Calabar, Cross River State, have raised concerns over alleged extortion by police officers operating at a checkpoint near the Post Office complex.

The motorists claimed that officers believed to be attached to Atakpa Police Station routinely stop vehicles along the road, particularly in the evenings, and demand payments from taxi and commercial bus drivers.

According to the drivers, the alleged payments range from N200 to N500, with some claiming that motorists who refuse to pay are delayed, harassed or threatened with having their vehicles impounded.

The checkpoint is located along a busy route leading towards Watt Market, one of the major commercial centres in the city.

A taxi driver, who spoke anonymously, alleged that the practice was particularly common during peak periods when traders and other commuters travel towards the market.

Another motorist, Effiom Effiong, said the alleged payments had affected transportation costs because some drivers include the money in the fares charged to passengers.

Effiong also claimed that the checkpoint contributes to traffic congestion, particularly in the evening.

A resident, Emmanuel Bassey, similarly accused the officers of turning the checkpoint into a source of illegal revenue and appealed to the police authorities to intervene.

The motorists and residents called on the police hierarchy to review the activities at the checkpoint and ensure that officers deployed to the area focus on maintaining security rather than collecting money from road users.

The allegations come against the backdrop of previous warnings by the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo-Geoffrey Ordue, against extortion and other forms of unprofessional conduct among officers.

However, the state police command denied condoning such activities.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the command would investigate credible complaints against officers accused of extortion.

Eitokpah urged members of the public to provide useful details, including the patrol vehicle number, location and time of the alleged incident, to assist the command in identifying the officers involved.

He maintained that any officer found guilty of extorting members of the public would face disciplinary action.

The police spokesman also advised motorists not to give money to officers who demand payment unlawfully and encouraged victims to report such incidents through the command’s official complaint channels.

He provided the police complaint response line, +234 813 708 3052, for members of the public to report alleged cases of extortion.