Still On Police Extortion In Rivers 

A recent exhortation to officers of the Rivers State Police Command to uphold justice and fairness in
their duties by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16, Bayelsa State, Ben Okolo, is highly commendable. It is a mandatory step to address the opprobrium that has raised perturbation about the integrity of the police force, especially in Rivers State.
During a familiarisation visit to the Rivers State Command, Okolo brought to the fore the significance of not converting checkpoints into extortion precincts. He highlighted that checkpoints were introduced to combat crimes and implored officers to treat people with propriety to gain public trust and achieve operational success.
Regrettably, tyrannous Nigeria Police officers have intransigently declined to change, as the temporary accretions of the #EndSARS protests of 2020 have long been excoriated. With ferocious impunity, armed bribe-seeking police officers are devising creative modes at police stations, checkpoints, bus stops, and traffic light junctions to extort money from common Rivers residents.
Youth, grappling with high unemployment and security challenges, are the most afflicted by the happenstance. We must end this barefaced robbery perpetrated by the police in Rivers State. The esurience for illicit wealth among some officers results in the loss of lives. Instead of upholding the law, these scamp personnel become criminals themselves, taking advantage of their position within the state.
A young man in Port Harcourt claimed he was extorted by two policemen. He voiced his complaint on Twitter and tagged the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Adejobi Olumuyiwa. In response, the CSP tweeted and questioned the Rivers State Police Command about ongoing complaints of extortion and harassment in the state notwithstanding warnings from the Police Inspector-General.
In Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, a middle-aged man simply named Iyke was savagely treated by the police. A viral video depicted two armed officers hauling and vigorously prodding him towards their patrol van. With AK-47 rifles in hand, they forcibly brought Iyke to the ground, shoving him into their steaming van.
A victim of police extortion, Daddy Geoffrey, has accused some police officers of planting Indian hemp on him during a search and extorting N8,000 from him. The incident occurred when he was stopped by men from the Rivers State Police Command at Obiri-Ikwerre Junction in Port Harcourt. Although the police initially searched him and found nothing, they allegedly planted the illegal substance on him during a subsequent search. In the process, Geoffrey was slapped and handcuffed by one of the officers.
An auto mechanic, Chima Ikwunado, tragically died of torture inflicted by a disbanded E-Crack squad at Mile One Police Division in Diobu, Port Harcourt. The incident sparked sweeping condemnation, with many demanding the sack of the then IGP Mohammed Adamu and comprehensive reform of the police force. The force has been found guilty of callosity, abuse, extortion, and extrajudicial sororicides on several occasions.
Police brutality against young people, specifically targeting those with dreadlocks, has resulted in illegal arrests, extortion, and detention. This matter is particularly irksome for individuals who own various electronic devices such as laptops, iPhones, tablets, iPads, ATM cards, iPods, and Bluetooth devices. Unfortunately, this form of law enforcement has become customary in our modern, digitalised society.
The high number of checkpoints in the state is concerning and unmatched in the country. It is believed that these checkpoints are primarily impelled by economic factors rather than security concerns. What is even more troubling is that police personnel can often be found in large groups in areas where their presence is less required, rather than focusing on locations where they are truly needed.
A Port Harcourt-based journalist, Mrs Priestba Wokocha, was recently abducted by gunmen while returning from work. It was discovered that her captors bribed the police at each checkpoint on their way to Bori, where she was incarcerated before her release. This incident reveals that many police checkpoints in the state are actuated by monetary gain rather than security.
Police checkpoints at Rivers State University (RSU) roundabout, Choba, through Rumuji, Amadi Ama enclave, and Isaac Boro Park (under the flyover), Aluu junction police checkpoint, in front of the High Court in Port Harcourt, Agip flyover, among others, are notorious for extortion. Corrupt officers tyrannise and browbeat drivers, compelling them to expend money. This happens even though the Federal Government remunerates the officers to protect lives and property.
Extortion is a criminal offence under the country’s law. Not subjecting those with proven cases to court trial leads to continual public denigration of the police. These depraved elements harass, incriminate, incarcerate, and kill innocent citizens in an attempt to fleece them, which undermines public security interests.
The state Commissioner of Police, Polycarp Emeka Abonyi, and the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, must collaborate to ensure accountability within their ranks to end the menace. They must identify and terminate the employment of any rogue officers operating in Rivers State. While we acknowledge CP Abonyi’s accomplishments in combatting crime, we prod the police authorities to effect stricter penalties, such as public shaming and criminal prosecution, for those found guilty.
The Rivers State Government needs to prioritise the protection of law-abiding residents from police extortion and brutality. Rivers people must remain resilient and push back against these injustices. Initiating peaceful protests and speaking up as victims is essential. Social media should be responsibly used to unmask police corruption and other societal vices.