Drivers Cry Out Over Extortion By Soldiers In Rivers

Drivers Cry Out Over Extortion By Soldiers In Rivers

COMMERCIAL drivers and other road users plying the Port Harcourt-Aba expressway say they are fed up of constant harassment and extortion by army personnel who set checkpoint at the Oyigbo express junction part of the road.

The hardest hit of the transporters are the lorry drivers who bring in goods, especially food stuffs, to Rivers state from the different parts of the country.

The army team have become so notorious for extortion at the Oyigbo express area of Aba road, causing serious traffic jam and beating anyone who refuses to pay up.

They set up their stall there and force lorries bringing in foodstuffs like okro, garri, melon, onion and ugu among others to pay N200 each before they are allowed to go.

But the soldiers do not directly receive the extortion monies from the drivers; rather they have two miscreants who do the dirty work for them. But woe betide any driver who refuses to pay up, or any body who raises a voice to criticize their activities.

For instance, recently a pedestrian who dared to complain about their activities and the traffic problems it created was beaten up so badly that witnesses shuddered silently, because they were all afraid to express any sympathy for fear of suffering the same fate.

On of the transporters who brings goods from Enugu told AkanimoReports correspondent that “the soldiers block the road and force drivers to pay N200 each. They have two boys collecting for them, they only show up when they get a complaint that somebody refused to pay.”

Another road user noted: “Their activities at the Oyigbo express junction usually cause serious traffic jam, especially as they usually come out around 6.30 pm, which is a rush hour”

When contacted, Major Adamu Iliyasu, the public relations officer of the 2nd Amphibious Brigade, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, he said the checkpoint may not be illegal, but that the activities of those soldiers will be investigated and appropriated action taken.

ENDS

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