Police, Army, others accused of ₦1.3trn annual extortion at South East checkpoints — FENRAD

Nkem Ukaegbu,

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has accused security operatives, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army, of allegedly extorting motorists and commuters at numerous checkpoints across Nigeria’s South East, claiming that illegal roadside collections may exceed ₦1.3 trillion annually.

The civil society organisation also criticised the continued silence of South East governors, warning that the growing proliferation of checkpoints across Abia State, Anambra State, Ebonyi State, Enugu State and Imo State has turned major highways into centres of intimidation, harassment and illegal revenue collection.

In a statement issued and signed by its Executive Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the civil society organisation said the increasing number of checkpoints mounted by security agencies has turned major highways in the region into centres of illegal revenue collection.

According to FENRAD, roads across the five South East states, Abia State, Anambra State, Ebonyi State, Enugu State and Imo State, have increasingly become corridors of harassment where motorists, traders and commuters are allegedly forced to pay money before being allowed to proceed.

The organisation said its independent investigations and civic monitoring reports indicate that nearly 200 checkpoints currently exist across the region, mounted by a combination of security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other federal security operatives.

FENRAD provided a breakdown of the estimated number of checkpoints across the states, stating that about 37 checkpoints are located in Abia, 30 in Imo, 30 in Anambra, and about 40 each in Enugu and Ebonyi states.

It further revealed that motorists travelling along major economic corridors such as the Aba–Port Harcourt Road, Owerri–Onitsha Road, Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and Onitsha–Enugu Expressway often encounter between 25 and 40 checkpoints within short travel distances.

At these checkpoints, motorists are allegedly compelled to pay between ₦100 and ₦5,000 depending on the type of vehicle and the discretion of the security personnel on duty.

FENRAD claimed that cumulative investigations suggest that illegal roadside collections across Nigeria could exceed ₦1.3 trillion annually, with a significant portion linked to checkpoint operations within the South East.

The group warned that such practices have placed additional financial burdens on commercial drivers, traders and small businesses, while also contributing to rising transportation costs and inflationary pressures on goods.

Allegations of Human Rights Violations
Beyond the economic impact, FENRAD said it had received numerous complaints from citizens detailing various forms of abuse at the checkpoints.

These include alleged illegal demands for money, intimidation and harassment of motorists and passengers, arbitrary searches of personal belongings and mobile phones, confiscation of vehicle documents, and unlawful detention of individuals who refuse to comply with extortion demands.

The organisation noted that such actions violate several provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly Sections 34, 35, 37 and 41, which guarantee the rights to dignity, personal liberty, privacy and freedom of movement.

It also stated that the practices contradict provisions of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, which prohibits corruption, abuse of office and unlawful collection of money from members of the public.

Criticism of South East Governors
FENRAD also criticised governors in the South East for what it described as silence and inaction despite the alleged daily harassment of citizens.

The group argued that while the region faces genuine security challenges, excessive deployment of checkpoints without adequate accountability has created opportunities for corruption and abuse of power.

According to the organisation, governors, as chief security officers of their respective states, must not remain passive while residents are subjected to economic exploitation and humiliation on public roads.

FENRAD therefore urged the governors to collectively engage the Federal Government and security authorities to review and reform security operations across the region.

Call for Police and Military Reforms
The organisation called on the Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, to implement comprehensive reforms in highway policing operations in the South East.

Among its recommendations are the immediate audit and dismantling of illegal and redundant checkpoints, a shift from roadblock-heavy policing to intelligence-driven security strategies, deployment of body cameras and digital accountability tools for patrol officers, and the creation of accessible complaint channels for motorists.

FENRAD also demanded strict disciplinary measures against officers found guilty of extortion and abuse.
Similarly, the group called on the Nigerian Army leadership and the Chief of Army Staff to investigate allegations involving military personnel stationed along federal highways in the region.

While acknowledging the crucial role of the army in national security, the organisation warned that any involvement of soldiers in roadside extortion undermines the professionalism and integrity of the armed forces.

FENRAD ultimately demanded the immediate removal of what it described as unnecessary and revenue-driven checkpoints across the South East and their replacement with modern intelligence-led security approaches.

According to the group, security operations must focus on protecting lives and property rather than exploiting citizens already struggling with economic hardship.

“The South East cannot continue to function as a region where citizens must pay illegal tolls to move from one community to another. Security checkpoints must not become cash points,” the statement said.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to civic monitoring, public accountability and the defence of democratic freedoms, stressing that it would continue to engage relevant authorities until meaningful reforms are implemented.