Cross River Residents and Motorists Raise Extortion Claims Against Police, Command Rejects Allegations

Residents and motorists in Calabar, Cross River State, have raised allegations of extortion involving police officers operating at a checkpoint near the Post Office complex, reportedly linked to the Atakpa Police Station.

According to some motorists, officers allegedly block part of the road in the evening and demand payments from taxi drivers and commercial bus operators travelling towards Watt Market. The motorists claimed the amounts requested typically range from N200 to N500 or more.

Some drivers, who spoke anonymously, said the alleged collections have become a regular occurrence, particularly during busy periods when large numbers of commuters travel towards Watt Market. They further alleged that motorists who refuse to pay are sometimes delayed, threatened with vehicle impoundment or subjected to harassment.

One driver claimed the situation was particularly difficult for commercial bus operators because many of their passengers travel between Watt Market and Calabar South Local Government Area.

Another motorist, identified as Effiom Effiong, alleged that the situation was also contributing to higher transportation costs because drivers were factoring the alleged payments into the fares charged to passengers.

Effiong also complained that the checkpoint was contributing to traffic congestion, arguing that motorists should not have to face unnecessary delays while passing through the area.

A resident, Emmanuel Bassey, similarly accused the officers of using the checkpoint to collect money from drivers and appealed to the authorities to intervene.

The motorists and residents called on the police authorities to either remove the checkpoint or ensure that officers deployed there concentrate on security duties rather than allegedly collecting money from road users.

The allegations come despite warnings from the Cross River State Police Command against extortion and other forms of unprofessional conduct by officers.

However, the police command has denied tolerating such activities. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the command does not permit officers to extort members of the public and urged anyone who encounters such behaviour to report it with sufficient details.

He advised members of the public to provide information such as the patrol vehicle number, location and time of the incident to help investigators identify the officers involved.

The police spokesman also stated that officers found guilty of extortion would face disciplinary action, stressing the command's commitment to professionalism and due process.

Motorists were further advised not to hand money to officers who demand payment while stopping them on the road. The command provided its complaint response line, 0813 708 3052, for members of the public to report alleged extortion.

The police response means the allegations remain disputed, with residents and motorists calling for action while the command maintains that extortion is not permitted within the Cross River State Police Command.