Group Demands End To Checkpoint Extortion

A civic and socio-development group, Oganihu, Monday, demanded an end to security checkpoint extortion in the entire South-East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.

The group stated this in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Professor Chijioke Uwasomba; Secretary, Uzodimma Nwogbe, and Advocacy Coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma.

It expressed concerns over the continuing deterioration of security, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights across the region. It condemned what it called “the proliferation and operation of security checkpoints, allegations of systematic extortion of motorists and commercial transporters, prolonged detention of citizens in security facilities, and the failure to implement important recommendations arising from official inquiries into violence and insecurity in the region”.

The group said it recognises the legitimate responsibility of security agencies to protect lives, prevent crimes and maintain public safety, particularly in a region that has suffered kidnapping, armed attacks and other serious security challenges, condemned the abuse of such responsibility.

Quoting the statement, “Security necessity cannot justify extortion, harassment, degrading treatment or the conversion of highways into revenue-collection corridors. Reports of checkpoint extortion in the South-East are neither new nor confined to one organisation. Motorists, farmers, traders, transporters, civil society organisations and the media have repeatedly raised similar concerns.”

It recalled that the House of Representatives earlier expressed concerns in October 2025 about unidentified and improperly dressed security personnel operating checkpoints in the South-East and South-South.

“These recurring reports point to a problem that cannot simply be dismissed as isolated misconduct. The Nigeria Police Force has previously directed that roadblocks should not be mounted without appropriate authorisation, while repeatedly declaring extortion and harassment by police personnel unacceptable. The present police leadership has similarly emphasised accountability, discipline, intelligence-driven policing and stronger supervision of field operations,” the statement read.

Oganihu therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police and the heads of the Armed Forces and other security agencies operating in the South-East to undertake an immediate audit of checkpoints across the five states, identifying their locations, operational necessity, authorisation and personnel responsible for them.

The group recommended that security personnel found demanding or receiving money from road users be investigated and subjected to appropriate disciplinary and criminal processes.

Quoting it, “The constitutional rights to dignity and freedom of movement do not cease to exist because citizens are travelling through a security checkpoint.”

It called on the governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to recognise that protecting citizens from abuse by security personnel is an important part of their responsibility as political leaders of their states.

“Where state governments provide logistical or financial support to federal security agencies, such assistance must be transparent and tied to measurable standards of professionalism, human-rights compliance and accountability.

“Public resources should never subsidise institutions or operations that humiliate or extort the same citizens whose taxes finance them,” the group said.

It promised to engage the five South-East governors and Houses of Assembly to exercise their constitutional and political oversight responsibilities, adding that, “We shall similarly petition the National Assembly, relevant security institutions and oversight bodies.”

It called upon Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to make ending checkpoint extortion and other abuses against citizens travelling across the South-East a sustained regional advocacy priority.

The group said it would work with civil society organisations, professional bodies, transport organisations, community associations and other credible platforms to document abuses and pursue institutional and, where appropriate, judicial remedies, including strategic or representative litigation.

The group also condemned arbitrary arrest of people over alleged separatist agitations.

It said, “These concerns have been independently documented. Amnesty International’s 2025 report on abuses associated with the South-East conflict recorded testimony concerning detainees arrested in the South-East and transferred through DSS facilities to Wawa Barracks, including allegations of torture and poor detention conditions. More recently, concerns have again been raised publicly about people reportedly detained there for years.”

It maintained that anyone reasonably suspected of committing a criminal offence should be investigated and prosecuted before a competent court, adding however that, “Indefinite or secret detention cannot substitute for criminal prosecution. Section 35 of the Constitution guarantees personal liberty and provides safeguards governing arrest and detention, while section 36 protects the right to fair hearing.”

It therefore demanded a transparent accounting of all persons currently detained at Wawa Barracks and other military or security detention facilities arising from security operations in the South-East, including their identities, dates and places of arrest, detaining authorities, legal status and pending charges.

“Families must be informed of the whereabouts and legal status of their relatives, detainees must have access to lawyers, and anyone against whom the state has evidence must be brought promptly before a competent court,” said the group.