Motorists Allege Extortion In Tai LGA

Some motorists plying Saakpenwa route, in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State to other neighbouring states have alleged incessant extortion by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)on regular basis, ranging between N5,000 and N20,000 for unidentified offences.
The Tide investigation revealed that they resume as early as 5am every day, Corps members to begin their nefarious activities by stopping drivers in the guise of enforcing observation of seat belts and nose masks by the drivers and their passengers, as well as, overloading of passengers and other goods and services, thereby demanding for the alleged bribe before such vehicles and drivers are released, without which, the vehicles are impounded for further interrogations and action.
Our investigation also revealed that if the said sum demanded by the officials axis not provided, the vehicles would be impounded and passengers transferred to other vehicles, a situation described by most of the drivers and passengers as, “appalling and unacceptable.”
Others who spoke on condition of anonymity called on both the Rivers State Government (RSG), the Federal Ministry of Interior, among other government agencies to urgently wade into the alleged extortion and harassment of motorists currently going on along that axis by the personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in order to save them from the inhuman treatment meted out to them while performing their legitimate duties as required by law.
“We use this opportunity to appeal to relevant government agencies to deal with this monster called corruption among uniform personnel, who are poised to harass and extort money from motorists, as this is unfair and unacceptable. The drivers are law abiding citizens of this country and therefore should be treated with caution for peace to reign,” the motorists said.
Efforts made by this Correspondent to reach the State Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for his comment on the matter proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.

By: Bethel Toby