Motorists in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, have called on Governor Yahaya Bello to probe the activities of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).
They decried the incessant harassment and extortion by VIO officers who have become notorious for sharp practices on the roads.
Some of the car owners who spoke with our correspondent complained bitterly about the manner the VIO officers had deploy dubious means to find fault on their vehicles with the sole purpose of creating an avenue for extortion.
More worrisome, according to them, is the obvious fact that the money being extorted usually end up in their private pockets with little or nothing paid into the state government coffers.
A motorist, Adewale Benjamin, said some of the VIO officers had even contracted POS operatives who used to receive bribe on behalf of the officers and get the transferred cash delivered to them at the close of work at drinking bar, where the loots are shared by the officers and their superiors officials.
Another motorist, Idris Ayuba, lamented the harrowing experience he had encountered with VIO officers along Lokoja roads in recent times.
Ayuba said the VIOs often mount their checkpoints at strategic positions within the state capital where there are deep potholes and often jump in front of any vehicle plying the lane to effect arrest.
“Thereafter, the officers will direct you to come down from your car and approach a senior officer seating in their van for negotiations. If you are privileged to have enough cash on you to meet their demands you will be allowed to go with your vehicle but if you are not carrying enough cash for bribery, the junior officer will remove the two numbers plates on your vehicle and direct you to go to their office where another officer had been stationed to collect higher sum from you without receipt nor any acknowledgment.
“They have formed themselves into a cabal, extorting and diverting public funds. They are only using government uniform to take bribes for themselves and their ogas,” he said.
The motorists called on the state government to take a critical look into the unlawfully activities of the VIO and carry out special audit of their accounts.
