Residents and motorists in Calabar, Cross River State, have raised serious allegations against officers of the Nigeria Police Force, accusing them of extorting money at a checkpoint situated near the Post Office complex, allegedly connected to the Atakpa Police Station. This practice reportedly occurs every evening, particularly affecting taxi and commercial bus drivers who are en route to the bustling Watt Market.

According to several drivers who spoke on condition of anonymity, the officers block the road and demand payments ranging from N200 to N500. They claim that refusing to comply leads to delays and threats of vehicle impoundment. One taxi driver lamented, "They block the road every evening. If you don’t pay N200 or N500, they will delay you or threaten to impound your vehicle." The situation is said to be particularly dire for commercial buses, as they are frequently targeted due to the high demand for transportation to Calabar South Local Government Area.

The impact of this alleged extortion is significant, with motorists like Effiom Effiong expressing concern that the practice has inflated transportation costs. "The checkpoint causes unnecessary traffic and subjects commuters to harassment," he stated, emphasizing that drivers now factor in these unofficial payments when setting fares.

Local resident Emmanuel Bassey voiced his frustration, describing the checkpoint as a hub of greed and selfishness. He criticized the officers for their lack of empathy, especially given the current economic hardships faced by many Nigerians. "These police officers don’t have conscience. If they have conscience, they would know that the country is hard already and they should not add more burden on the masses," he said.

In light of these troubling claims, residents and drivers are urging the police leadership to either dismantle the checkpoint or ensure that officers stationed there focus on crime prevention rather than revenue collection. These allegations come despite ongoing warnings from the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo-Geoffrey Ordue, about the unprofessional conduct of officers.

In response to the allegations, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, stated that the command does not tolerate any form of extortion. He encouraged the public to report any incidents of extortion, providing a contact number for complaints. "The command does not tolerate any form of extortion by members of Nigeria Police Force in Cross River State. Members of the public that have credible information to help us locate or pin down any extortion from any officer should report to us through the Police complaint Response line," he said.

Eitokpah reiterated the commitment of the police to professionalism and due process, asserting that any officer found guilty of extortion would face disciplinary action. He urged residents and motorists to utilize official channels for complaints, highlighting the principled nature of the state Commissioner of Police, who prioritizes discipline and professional conduct within the force.