Farmers and traders traversing Bagudu in the Bagudu Local Government Area of Kebbi State voiced their dismay on Sunday regarding the persistent extortion they face from security personnel at numerous checkpoints along the route connecting Nigeria with the Benin Republic.
Within Tsamiya Market, a grain supplier engaged in loading a truck with 600 bags of maize or millet disclosed the onerous task of paying a minimum of N600,000 in extortion fees to reach Argungu and Birnin Kebbi.
Tukur Muhammad, the Secretary of the Amana Farmers and Grains Suppliers Association of Nigeria in the region, highlighted the financial burden imposed on them, stating, “We are charged N1,000 per 100kg bag of grains loaded onto trucks and N500 for a bag transported on a motorcycle.”
Muhammad attributed the escalation in prices of agricultural produce, merchandise, and essential goods to the pervasive extortion by security forces in the area, emphasizing that these illicit collections significantly contribute to the overall surge in commodity prices.
“Even if you are not carrying anything on your motorcycle, but you are going to the market, you have to pay an extortion of N300,” he added.
He charged the state government to enforce the proper collection of Internally Generated Revenue, putting an end to all illicit revenue collections and extortions.
Muhammad asserted that this measure would protect citizens from unauthorized revenue collections and bolster the state government’s financial resources.
Rabi’u Mainasara, the association’s Chairman, expressed concern over rampant extortion, revealing the existence of 44 checkpoints from Bagudu to Tsamiya. At each checkpoint, traders or farmers are reportedly required to pay varying amounts before being allowed to proceed.
The implicated security agencies include the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Farmers and traders passing through Bagudu in Bagudu Local Government Area of Kebbi State expressed their frustration on Sunday over what they describe as constant extortion by security operatives at various checkpoints along the road connecting Nigeria with the Benin Republic.
At Tsamiya Market, a grain supplier loading a truck with 600 bags of maize or millet revealed the burden of paying at least N600,000 in extortion fees to reach Argungu and Birnin Kebbi.
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Tukur Muhammad, the Secretary of Amana Farmers and Grains Suppliers Association of Nigeria in the area, pointed to the financial strain imposed on them, stating, “We pay N1,000 per 100kg bag of grains loaded in trucks and N500 for a bag on a motorcycle.”
Muhammad attributed the surge in prices of farm produce, goods, and essential items to the prevalent extortion by security operatives in the region, emphasizing that the illegal collections significantly contribute to the overall increase in commodity prices.
“Even if you are not carrying anything on your motorcycle, but you are going to the market, you have to pay an extortion of N300,” he added.
He urged the state government to enforce the collection of Internally Generated Revenue, ending all illegal revenue collections and extortions.
According to Muhammad, this action would safeguard citizens against unauthorized revenue collections and enable the state government to support its coffers.
Chairman of the association, Rabi’u Mainasara, lamented the widespread extortion, disclosing that there are 44 checkpoints on the road from Bagudu to Tsamiya, where every trader or farmer is obligated to pay varying amounts at each checkpoint before being allowed to proceed.
The security agencies allegedly involved include the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“From Bagudu to Tsamiya, they have mounted 44 checkpoints on the road where each trader or farmer must pay certain amounts of money at every checkpoint before he is allowed to go through.
“The security agencies comprise the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“Security operatives posted to man Maje, Saranfo and Wara Tsamiya checkpoints on the road to the border with the Benin Republic in Bagudo Local Government Area also extort residents of the area,’’ he said.
Mainasara urged the federal and Kebbi governments, along with the leaders of relevant security agencies, to swiftly intervene and address the situation. He cautioned that a delay in tackling the issue could prompt individuals to take matters into their own hands.