Motorists Shun Iloabuchi Route Over Police Extortion

Commercial motorists ply
ing the Iloabuchi axis of Diobu in Port Harcourt, had abandoned the route following extortion by some police officers permanently positioned at Ojike junction by Iloabuchi.
In a bid to obviate the activities of the extortionists, some of the commercial drivers now, divert through Lumumba Street in Diobu to get to their destination at the University of Science and Technology back gate.
The Tide also gathered that residents of Iloabuchi now find it difficult to access commercial vehicles to the Abali Park as a result of the diversion by the drivers.
A motorist, Mr Akanimo Udosen, who spoke with The Tide, said driving within the Iloabuchi axis has become unattractive for commercial motorists, as they pay money to the Police Officers on every trip. He called on the police authorities to recall their men from the area to save motorists  from undue extortion.
Another motorist, simply indentified as Sami, narrated his ordeal in the hands of the Police Officers, stating that on a particular incident, his car key was seized by the police for refusing to part with N500.
He also disclosed that the Police Officers sometimes negotiate transport fares between commercial drivers and passengers taking them on special drop and collect commissions from them.
A resident of Ojike Street, Mr Peter Okoni, said the ubiquitous presence of the police at Ojike junction had become a nuisance, as it  had disrupted the regular movement of commercial motorists in the area.
He said the presence of the Policemen was first noticed in the area following a kidnap incident, but the Police officers had cashed in on it to extort money from motorists. He also called on the Commissioner of Police to withdraw the officers from the area.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, in Rivers State, ASP Grace Koko, declined commitment on the matter.

Taneh Beemene