Public affairs analyst and financial expert Kalu Aja has condemned the extortion of Nigerian citizens at police checkpoints, describing it as nothing short of armed robbery. His remarks, made on Thursday, May 22, on X (formerly Twitter), sparked reactions from citizens who echoed frustration over continued police harassment.
“Forcefully obtaining cash from citizens at a checkpoint with arms is armed robbery,” Aja posted on his official handle, highlighting the dangers Nigerians face daily from armed officers who mount illegal roadblocks under the guise of law enforcement.
Aja’s claim was reinforced by a screenshot from a January 26, 2021, newspaper in which former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu restated that all police checkpoints remained illegal. The extract emphasized the IGP’s directive banning their use, which remains largely unenforced under Tinubu’s administration.
Despite repeated bans, illegal checkpoints have continued to spring up across the country, with particular prevalence in the southeastern region. Citizens often report being stopped, harassed, and forced to part with money or belongings under duress.
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Several Nigerians responding to Aja’s post expressed disillusionment with the system and questioned the credibility of such bans. A user, Kenny Ozie, commented:
“This is the one millionth banning of the same crime… They always say these things n it never reflected on the ground; rather, they turn up wit more log of woods barricading roads n causing both delays to travellers n accidents on major express roads majorly in the Eastern region.”
Another user, Ifeyinwa, raised a concern about the lack of transparency in enforcement:
“How do we know which checkpoint is legal @PoliceNG.”
In a more sarcastic tone, user Mazi Menyk added:
“If anyone believe that it’ll be implemented, I want to sell ARIARIA Market to them. Na my papa get am.”
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