As the festive season unfolds, Nigerian highways have become hotspots for extortion and harassment, leaving many holiday travellers grappling with unwarranted inconveniences.
Motorists and passengers alike face an unsettling reality as security agencies, stationed along major routes, allegedly exploit their authority to demand bribes and detain individuals under questionable circumstances.
Growing Concerns Over Roadblock Abuses
The holiday period, often marked by an uptick in travel, has brought with it increased reports of security officials allegedly engaging in extortion at roadblocks.
Despite official assurances that such practices are neither sanctioned nor condoned, tales of intimidation, harassment, and financial exploitation abound.
According to reports, roadblocks set up by various security agencies have become common across highways, sometimes appearing at intervals of just a few kilometres.
While ostensibly meant to enhance safety, these checkpoints have instead become synonymous with corruption and fear.
“I was stopped on my way to my hometown for Christmas,” shared a Lagos-based businessman who preferred to remain anonymous.
“The officers claimed my vehicle’s papers were incomplete, even though everything was in order. I had no choice but to pay ₦10,000 to avoid further delay and harassment.”
A Season of Exploitation
The presence of numerous security personnel on the roads has done little to deter criminal activities such as armed robbery and kidnapping, raising questions about the efficacy of these measures.
Meanwhile, the unchecked abuse of authority by security operatives has turned the highways into a nightmare for travellers.
Holidaymakers recount distressing encounters where their vehicles were seized or they were detained without legitimate cause.
Victims report that officers often demand hefty bribes, using tactics of intimidation and prolonged delays to coerce compliance.
“It’s disheartening that during what should be a joyous season, Nigerians are subjected to such treatment,” lamented a motorist who faced a similar ordeal. “The roadblocks feel more like toll booths than security measures.”
Police Response
The Nigerian Police Force has denied any official policy encouraging extortion or harassment by its officers.
In a statement, police authorities emphasized that deployments along highways were made at the request of state governors to bolster security during the festive period.
“Policemen were not sent out to extort or harass motorists,” the statement read. “We urge citizens to report any misconduct by officers for prompt disciplinary action.”
However, critics argue that systemic corruption and the lack of accountability within the security agencies have allowed these practices to persist.
A Call for Reform
The prevailing situation has sparked calls for urgent reform in the conduct and oversight of security personnel on Nigerian highways.
Advocacy groups and civil society organizations have urged the government to implement stringent measures to curb these abuses and restore public confidence.
“This cycle of exploitation must end,” said a spokesperson for a prominent human rights organization.
“The authorities must hold erring officers accountable and ensure that security forces genuinely protect citizens, rather than prey on them.”
As Nigerians prepare to navigate the highways this holiday season, many are left wondering whether their journeys will be marked by joy or by yet another ordeal with those sworn to protect them.
