By Peter John.
Since Kogi State Government provided over 100 operational vehicles for security agents to fight crime in Kogi State it has been extortion galore in the rural areas, as policemen have taken to rural roads to collect tolls from motorists, motorcyclists and traders especially on market days.
When this reporter travelled to Dekina town last Friday, which was Anyigba Market day, policemen mounted road blocks at almost every kilometer of the 26 kilometres, road extorting money.
A taxi driver, Ibrahim Sule, who spoke with this reporter, said what the policemen are doing to them is most disheartening and they have nobody to report to.
He said some drivers could not come out to convey passengers on market days because all their earning would be collected by police men who always request for all sorts of particulars, including number plate receipt.
A motor-cyclist, Yahaya Jonah, said instead of going after criminals for which vehicles were provided for, the police would come from Lokoja and other towns such as Idah, Anyigba, Okene, Ankpa to mount road blocks along Anyigba-Dekina road, Abejukolo road and Egume-Inye roads on market days.
It is the same thing in Kogi Central and Kogi East Senatorial districts of the state.
The state commissioner of police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, said last week while addressing state officers of Nigeria Union of Journalist, that he is aware of the acts of indiscipline among policemen all over the state.
He urged journalists and members of the public to directly report erring police officers to him to enable his command take disciplinary action against such officers.
However, police officers on such illegal duties always cover their name and number-tags, while their vehicle plate numbers are covered with black leader.
