The South-East region of Nigeria has allegedly become a lucrative extortion ground for security forces, with reports indicating that police and military personnel collected over N21.8 billion from motorists in just two months.
According to a recent investigation, security operatives set up multiple roadblocks across key highways, demanding bribes from commuters, commercial drivers, and transporters. These illegal tolls, often enforced under threats of violence or prolonged detention, have turned travel into a nightmare for many residents.
Security Forces or Predators?
The investigation, conducted by a coalition of civil society groups and transport unions, revealed that the extortion racket is well-organized. The study found that security personnel, including the police, army, and other uniformed forces, have monetized roadblocks, collecting between N1,000 and N5,000 per vehicle, depending on the route and time of day.
“It is an open secret that security forces extort money from motorists at virtually every checkpoint,” said a driver who plies the Onitsha-Enugu highway. “If you don’t pay, they delay you unnecessarily, sometimes even impound your vehicle.”
Another commercial driver, who operates along the Owerri-Aba route, disclosed that he sets aside at least N5,000 daily just for security bribes. “They don’t care whether you have all your papers complete or not; once they see a commercial vehicle, they demand their ‘toll’ before letting you go,” he lamented.
Christmas Travel Rush Worsens Situation
The extortion reportedly peaked during the Christmas season, as thousands of South-Easterners returned home for the holidays. Many travelers shared accounts of being harassed at checkpoints, with security operatives exploiting the high volume of traffic to increase their illicit collections.
A businessman traveling from Lagos to Abia State narrated how he had to part with over N20,000 at different checkpoints along his journey. “They used every excuse in the book—expired fire extinguisher, tinted windows, customs clearance—even when you show them proof, they still insist you must pay.”
Kidnappers Join the Racket
As if the security forces’ extortion was not enough, criminal elements, including kidnappers and armed robbers, have also taken advantage of the situation. Reports indicate that kidnappers operating along highways in the South-East have raked in at least N600 million in ransom payments during the same two-month period.
“Many of these kidnappers set up fake roadblocks, mimicking security personnel,” said a local vigilante member in Anambra. “Once they stop a vehicle, they abduct passengers and later demand huge ransoms from their families.”
Government and Security Agencies Silent
Despite mounting public outrage, security agencies and government officials have remained largely silent on the issue. Attempts to get responses from the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Army proved futile, as officials either declined to comment or dismissed the reports as exaggerated.
However, human rights activists insist that the extortion and insecurity in the South-East are not isolated incidents but part of a systemic problem within Nigeria’s security architecture.
“The fact that police and military officers can freely extort motorists without consequences shows the depth of corruption in the system,” said a legal expert and anti-corruption advocate, Barrister Emeka Okafor. “It is time for the government to take decisive action and dismantle these illegal toll points.”
Public Outcry and Calls for Action
Several transport unions, market associations, and civil rights groups have condemned the extortion, calling for urgent reforms. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also threatened legal action against security agencies found guilty of extortion.
“This is an abuse of power and a violation of Nigerians’ right to free movement,” said a statement from the NBA’s South-East chapter. “We are compiling evidence and will not hesitate to take legal steps to hold those responsible accountable.”
As pressure mounts on the government to address the crisis, many are left wondering whether authorities will act decisively or continue to turn a blind eye to what has become an institutionalized criminal enterprise.
For now, motorists in the South-East remain at the mercy of both security forces and criminals, as what should be routine travel has turned into a high-stakes gamble for survival.
