An investigative journey by THISDAY reporter, David-Chyddy Eleke, revealed widespread extortion along the Awka-Enugu highway, as security operatives ramp up activities ahead of Governor Charles Soludo’s planned military operation, Operation Udo Ga Achi, set to commence in January 2025.
The 70-kilometer journey, which should take under an hour, stretched to over three hours due to 22 roadblocks mounted by various security agencies, including the military, police, Customs, and FRSC. The extortion ranged from N100 to N200 per checkpoint for commercial drivers, while private vehicle owners faced higher demands, especially if their vehicle documents were incomplete.
During the trip, the reporter observed that the checkpoints caused significant traffic delays and forced motorists to pay bribes to avoid prolonged searches. Commercial drivers appeared resigned to the system, budgeting for these bribes, while private vehicle owners risked hefty charges if labeled “Yahoo boys” or found with incomplete documentation.
Passengers and civil society groups condemned the extortion, calling it a hindrance to free movement and an abuse of power. Emeka Umeagbalasi, a security expert, revealed that over N3 trillion has been extorted from South-East road users in the past nine years. He urged the government to replace roadblocks with modern surveillance technologies like CCTV and deploy ICT-trained police officers for rapid response.
Governor Soludo, in a recent press briefing, acknowledged the inconveniences caused by security measures but insisted they were necessary to curb crime. However, the NBA and other organizations have called for an overhaul of the roadblock system, arguing that it primarily serves as a tool for extortion rather than security.
As public outcry grows, citizens demand accountability and a shift to more effective and corruption-free policing methods in the region.