Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — Commercial taxi and bus drivers operating in several corridors of Port Harcourt have accused police officers stationed at checkpoints of inflating bribe demands, creating fresh financial strain for transport workers already grappling with rising operating costs.
Drivers plying routes including Mile 1, Mile 2, Iwofe and Aba Road told local correspondents that extortion at police checkpoints has increased in recent weeks. According to the drivers’ accounts, bribe amounts previously fixed at around ₦100 per checkpoint have risen to ₦200, even when the vehicles have all required documentation. The drivers say these unofficial payments, made daily across multiple checkpoints, have materially reduced their net earnings and contributed to higher costs for commuters. While there is no formal verification yet from police authorities in the state, drivers’ testimonies reflect long‑standing nationwide concerns that security checkpoint extortion persists in multiple Nigerian cities. Investigations in other regions have documented similar patterns where uniformed officers collect money from motorists at checkpoints even when documents are in order, and drivers often feel compelled to pay to avoid delays or punitive action. ([turn0search12])
The allegations extend to a team allegedly attached to the Central Police Station (CPS) at Bennett Car Junction, where drivers claim police officers are collecting up to ₦5,000 daily from motorists in that area. During an observation at the Station Bus Stop near Bennett Car Junction, a commercial driver was seen pleading with officers to accept ₦3,000, a figure reportedly turned down by the checkpoint personnel. The passengers and drivers present described the interaction as tense and symptomatic of a broader issue affecting transport workers across the city.
Motorists and industry observers say the practice of checkpoint levies — whether by police, paramilitary or other uniformed personnel — has long been felt in Nigeria, with drivers often absorbing the costs or passing them on to commuters. Anecdotal and investigative reporting from various regions has previously highlighted a culture of informal payments at roadblocks, where officers request money without clear legal justification, undermining public confidence in the security apparatus and adding to the cost of transportation. ([turn0search12])
Commercial transport workers in Port Harcourt say the cumulative effect of these payments has become unsustainable, particularly as they coincide with other rising expenses such as fuel costs and maintenance. Drivers note that while checkpoints are ostensibly established to enhance public safety and enforce traffic laws, the apparent focus on extracting money rather than conducting legitimate inspections erodes motorists’ trust and imposes inequitable burdens on low‑income operators.
The drivers have formally appealed to government authorities, including the Rivers State Government and relevant policing oversight bodies, to investigate the allegations and take corrective action. Their calls include strengthened accountability measures at checkpoints, clear operational guidelines for security personnel, and enforcement of penalties against officers found to be engaging in corruption or extortion.
Community advocates for transport workers argue that unchecked informal levies distort the transport sector, forcing drivers to absorb costs that should not be part of law enforcement duties, and ultimately driving up passenger fares. They are urging authorities to establish transparent reporting mechanisms that allow drivers to lodge complaints without fear of retaliation, and to accompany enforcement efforts with public awareness campaigns on motorists’ rights at official checkpoints.
At the time of this report, the Rivers State Police Command had not issued a public response to the specific allegations from Mile 1, Mile 2, Iwofe, Aba Road and Bennett Car Junction checkpoints.
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