A first-time motorist on the Port Harcourt/Aba express road will be confused by the closely mounted checkpoints and frequent stop by police as a security checks instead of the syndicate of bribery
and extortion of motorists, especially the commercial drivers, which it was.
In the course of research by a Gist investigative journalist, it was revealed that for a police officer to fit into the elaborate network of the police hierarchy and excel through rank and file, he or she must prove to be worthy through remittance of money raised from motorists.
Corrupt transactions at police checkpoints and roadblocks on PH/Aba highway are done with impunity before public glare. Despite measures outlined by Nigerian Police Force high
command to eliminate police extortion and harassment of motorists on federal highways to gain the trust of Nigerians, little have changed.
The experience on Rivers state federal and state roads can best be likened to a colony under a military regime.
The indiscriminate roadblocks littering the major roads of Rivers state, supposed to keep Rivers state resident safe from criminal elements prowling and disposing people of their valuable.
Base on founding by GIST, there are over 15 check points at close intervals from Imo River to Eleme junction axis of the Port Harcourt/ Aba express road. A development which have left commercial road users lossing substantial amount of their daily income to policemen.
Disheartening stories against the supposed security men on our streets and highways by drivers and passengers occasioned by the inconvenience of the activities of the men of Nigeria Police Force call for a national emergency, with established cases of police brutality and killing of motorists over argument in course of extortion and intimidation.
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