•Slams state governors over silence

By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has raised concerns over what it described as widespread extortion and human rights abuses at security checkpoints across Nigeria’s South East region, estimating that illegal roadside collections linked to such operations could exceed N1.3 trillion annually.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the organisation said roads across the five South East states — Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo — have increasingly become corridors of intimidation where motorists, traders and commuters are forced to pay money before being allowed to continue their journeys.

“Roads across the five South East states have increasingly turned into corridors of intimidation and illegal revenue collection, where motorists, traders, commuters and transport operators are routinely forced to part with money before being allowed to proceed,” the statement said.

FENRAD said independent investigations and civic monitoring indicate that nearly 200 checkpoints operated by security agencies including the police, military and other federal operatives currently exist across the region.

The group said monitoring data show an estimated 37 checkpoints in Abia, about 30 in Imo, 30 in Anambra, around 40 in Enugu and about 40 in Ebonyi.

According to the organisation, motorists travelling along major economic corridors such as the Aba–Port Harcourt Road, Owerri–Onitsha Road, Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and Onitsha–Enugu Expressway reportedly encounter between 25 and 40 checkpoints within short travel distances.

“Motorists are often compelled to pay between N100 and N5,000 per checkpoint depending on the type of vehicle and the discretion of security personnel,” the group said.

FENRAD warned that such illegal payments are worsening transportation costs and increasing the economic burden on citizens and businesses already facing difficult economic conditions.

“For commercial drivers, traders and small businesses, these illegal payments have significantly increased transportation costs and inflationary pressure on goods,” it stated.

The organisation said it had received numerous complaints from citizens detailing abuses at checkpoints, including unlawful demands for money, intimidation, arbitrary searches of mobile phones and personal belongings, confiscation of vehicle documents and unlawful detention of motorists who resist payment.

“These practices represent serious violations of the rights to dignity, personal liberty, privacy and freedom of movement as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution,” the group said.

FENRAD also criticised what it described as the silence of South East governors over the situation.

“The Governors, as Chief Security Officers of their respective states, cannot continue to remain silent while citizens are subjected to daily humiliation and economic exploitation on public roads,” the statement said.

The organisation urged the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army leadership to review security operations in the region and address allegations of misconduct by personnel stationed along highways.

It called on the Inspector-General of Police to conduct an audit of checkpoints across the South East, dismantle illegal roadblocks and adopt intelligence-driven policing strategies.

FENRAD also urged the Chief of Army Staff to investigate reports of extortion involving military personnel deployed along federal highways in the region.

“Security checkpoints must not become cash points. Security operations must focus on protecting lives and property, not exploiting citizens already grappling with economic hardship,” the organisation added.

FENRAD demanded the withdrawal of unnecessary checkpoints and their replacement with modern security approaches that prioritise professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights.