Police to probe alleged extortions at Enugu checkpoint

The Enugu Police Command has pledged to investigate allegations of extortion by security personnel along major routes in Nsukka following a viral social media complaint. A X user, DJ SpoiltKid (#spoiltkid), had raised the alarm in a post on X on Monday, alleging that motorists and commercial riders were being forced to make illegal payments at multiple checkpoints across the area. “Nsukka is under siege by uniformed extortionists. How can a person drive from Odenigbo to Ogrute and have to ‘settle’ at three police checkpoints and two army checkpoints?” he wrote. He further claimed that tricycle and motorcycle operators, already burdened by high fuel costs and taxes, were being extorted daily. “This is not security; this is broad-daylight robbery of the poor,” the post added, while calling on Peter Mbah to intervene. Reacting, the Enugu State Police Command spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, assured that the matter would be escalated for immediate action. “I’ll escalate this immediately. Rest assured, action will be taken. We aren’t going to accept this manner of alleged action by any police officer in Enugu State,” he wrote in a reply to the complainant. Ndukwe also requested further evidence to aid the investigation. “Kindly send an unblurred version of the picture attached if it’s actually for the act talked about, please,” he added. The response comes amid recurring concerns over alleged extortion at security checkpoints across parts of the country, particularly affecting commercial drivers and low-income earners. While the police have repeatedly warned officers against unprofessional conduct, such allegations continue to surface, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability within security agencies.