HOODLUMS IN NATIONAL UNIFORM: POLICE OFFICER HARASSES AND THREATENS TO SHOOT PASSENGERS AT CHECKPOINT FOR NOT SHOWING LAPTOP RECEIPT

Secret Reporters

The harassment meted to Nigerian Citizens especially those plying the nation’s highways by officers of the Nigerian Police in recent times is gradually becoming a menace. Secret Reporters learnt that on daily basis, police officers stationed at the checkpoint between Enugu and Benue state are in the habit of harassing and extorting money from innocent drivers and commuters alike.

One of such victims, a passenger Victor Antigha Essien who narrated his ordeal at the hands of these heinous men in national uniform, described the incident as his worst humiliation ever. According to the passenger who also provided a video of what transpired between them and the officers at the checkpoint on a Tuesday morning while he was traveling from Enugu to Abuja, their vehicle was  stopped at the Police checkpoint after Obollo afor town, Enugu State (just before entering Otukpo community in Benue State) at about 1300hrs. The Police officer shown in the attached video began to search everything in the bus including their wallets and handbags (without any explanations for such invasion of their privacies).

Having found nothing incriminating on anyone in the bus, it became clear that the officer was looking for a foothold to illegally extort money from the innocent commuters. The hoodlum in National uniform, demanded for the receipt of a passenger’s laptop (which of course is not a routine requirement for laptop use anywhere in the world) and seized the laptop when the passenger could not produce the receipt. The video attached showed the conversation that ensued.

When they protested, the officer threatened to shoot all of them if they disobeyed his orders. He went ahead to keep them at the checkpoint for hours because they were not forthcoming with his demands.

Victor who could not hide his dismay at the actions of the police officer lamented,

“Do Police Officers carry the receipt of the gun they use for their duties? On what basis are we to carry receipt of laptops everywhere we go?”

“What is the justification of a wallet search of travellers? What have we done to the Nigerian Police to deserve these continuous bouts of humiliation at gunpoint?”

“I call on the Nigeria Police Force and the IGP to respond to this IMMEDIATELY. Educate the public about these laws of humiliation. Let’s know that we, the citizens, have become slaves to law enforcement agencies. I call on the National Assembly to look into this matter URGENTLY so this hoodlum in uniform will be brought to book.