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• Victims recount intimidation, extortion, harassment, brutality
• Two policemen in trouble for killing teenager
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
In Ebonyi State, the fear of the police is the beginning of wisdom for riders of flashy bikes and exotic cars.
In the state, it is almost becoming a crime to drive a flashy car or ride a decent bike. Security agencies, especially the police, often see the drivers and riders of flashy cars and good bikes which are of different models as criminal elements while the bikes and cars are usually taken as exhibits when the riders and drivers are arrested.
University students, children from well-to-do families and some high class persons usually drive or ride these cars and bikes which are of different models because of its fuel efficiency, efficiency, easy movement and prestige it gives the drivers and riders.
But security agencies in the state, especially the police, have continued to see the riders and drivers as Yahoo boys (fraudsters) and other criminal elements, especially if the person dresses irresponsibly. .
If the person wears tattoos on his body and is caught by the police driving the car or riding the bike, the person will regret it because of the harassment, intimidation and extortion he will face when caught, unless he’s able to escape arrest.
If the bike rider voluntarily stops when flagged down by the police, he would have to pay between N20,000 and N50,000 before his bike or car will be released. If he fails to pay, the vehicle would be impounded and taken to the police station where he will pay higher than the amount he was initially billed.
Sometimes, the policemen demand transfer if the offender doesn’t have cash. Some of the policemen, it was gathered, usually have PoS machines with which the cash transfers are made,
if the person is driving the bike or the car and refused to stop when being stopped or saw policemen and increased his speed to avoid being stopped by them, the person may be tagged a criminal and shot dead. It is even more dangerous when one rides the bike from 7pm till late in the night.
The situation has had more devastating consequences for young people in the state. Sometime last year, a young man driving a Lexus RX 350 from the Hausa quarters in the metropolis was given a chase by some police officers. During the chase, he lost control of the vehicle, had an accident and died on the spot.
Early this year, policemen from Central Police Station (CPS) in the capital city killed one Nwanchor Uwaezuruike who was riding a rubber-rubber bike model.
The deceased, an only son of his family, was an ice cream seller and had bought the rubber bike model early in the year from the proceeds of his business. He had presented the bike to his sister few days before he was shot dead.
An eyewitness, Eze Pius narrated the incident: “A gory sight I witnessed at the Abakaliki-Enugu expressway at the Hariz Filling Station close to the popular Spera Indeo overhead bridge (flyover) in the night at about 9pm last week.
“The men of the Nigeria Police Force of the CPS in Abakaliki shot to death an innocent boy who was riding the known popular motorcycle bike commonly known to be used by Yahoo boys fondly called rubber rubber bike.
“The guy had come out from Afor-Ezunna Street on his bike, heading towards Spera- in-deo. He was chased by the CPS Police Hilux van like people haunting escaping bandits.
“A voice roared from one of the police officers sitting at the back of Hilux unguidedly shouting ‘I will shoot you’ repeatedly. The deceased’s crime was only riding what has been termed a Yahoo boys’ bike and also riding in the night as against the directive of the state government.
“The deceased had no gun, didn’t commit a crime or was planning any, only to be innocently gunned down by the trigger-happy police officer.
“I heard a roaring voice from the front right-hand side of the Hilux in dismay and regrettably shouting, ‘do you know what you did? Who told you to shoot? Why did you put us in trouble, and so many questions.
“Thence, they took a man’s phone who rushed to the scene of the ugly event and who they felt was trying to video them. They dispersed the crowd, picked up the dead boy and his bike and zoomed off to heaven knows where.
“I’m making this revelation to bring to the notice and knowledge of everyone, most especially to the Ebonyi State government about this disdainful incident, and to carry out proper investigation on this matter and make the men in uniform, who are supposed to protect us but chose to waste innocent lives, to avoid such an ugly reoccurrence or allow the general public to resort to self defence.”
Another eyewitness and Abakaliki based journalist, Oswald Agwu who lives around the scene of the incident, also gave his own account.
“It was actually between 9.30 and 10 pm. I live close to the junction where the shooting happened. It is a very barbaric act on the side of the police. If they eventually shield the perpetrators of this demonic act, God, nature and the land will judge and punish them. Wasting the life of such a young man cannot be justified under any guise,” he said.
Another person, Martin Onyebuchi Godwin claimed he was present when the incident occurred and narrated how it happened thus: “I was present at the scene. He purposely shot the guy.
“When they tried to catch the guy, he outran them, crossed to the other lane of former immigration office, they crossed the road with their vehicle and some officers jumped down to pursue the guy and one of them shot the guy probably in an attempt to shoot at the tyre.”
Nwanchor’s killing sparked off wide condemnation across the state. In his reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu who issued the statement, said investigation into the incident has commenced.
Ukandu said the state Commissioner of Police has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (DC, SCID) to carry out a thorough, impartial and professional investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
“The Commissioner of Police has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and assured them, as well as the general public, that justice will be served. The Command reiterates its commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism and will keep the public informed as further developments emerge from the investigation”, he said.
The Chairman of the Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria (MTUN) in the state, Ekuma Nicholas, called on the Nigeria Police Force to urgently retrain its officers to prevent the extortion, harassment and brutality his men and other bike riders are facing in the state.
Ekuma spoke against the backdrop of an ongoing police investigation into the fatal shooting of Nwanchor Uwazuruike.
The MTUN chairman described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, stressing that improved training and professional conduct by officers would help rebuild trust between security agencies and commercial motorcycle operators.
“It is very sad. I want the Commissioner of Police and those in charge to retrain their men. If the police stop a bike man in a normal way, he will stop because the police is our friend. But when too much pressure is mounted on riders, fear sets in,” Ekuma said.
He explained that okada riders often panic when confronted aggressively by security operatives due to past experiences of harassment and extortion, although he maintained that fleeing from the police is not the right response.
Ekuma further highlighted the role of motorcycle operators in supporting security efforts, noting that riders serve as important sources of grassroots intelligence due to their daily movement across communities.
“We partner with the police because we give them information. Whatever is happening in any street, the Okada man usually hears it first,” he added.
The MTUN chairman also used the opportunity to advise members of the union to remain law-abiding and avoid confrontation with security agents.
“If police stop you, stop. Don’t fight them. If there is intimidation, call me. Every member has my number. Obey the law so we don’t create more problems,” he said.
Southern youths demand justice in teen’s killing
Southern Nigerian Youth Congress (SNYC), the state chapter has called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant bodies to immediately investigate the killing and sanction the policemen involved in the killing of Nwanchor
The youths said police must be reminded that its duty is to protect lives and uphold the rule of law, not to unlawfully take the lives of young Nigerians.
In a statement, Ekoyo Kingsley Chinedu, State Chairman of the organisation, noted: “This senseless killing is a grave violation of the right to life, a clear case of police brutality, and an abuse of the powers entrusted to the Nigeria Police Force. It reflects a disturbing continuation of the culture of impunity that has claimed the lives of many innocent youths across the country.
The Southern Nigerian Youth Congress (SNYC), Ebonyi State, therefore demands the following without delay: the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of the police officer(s) involved in the killing of Promise Nwanchor Uwaezuruike.
“A thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the incident by relevant authorities, justice, and compensation, to the family of the deceased., urgent and practical steps by the Nigeria Police Force to end extrajudicial killings and police brutality in Ebonyi State and Nigeria at large.
“We specifically call on Gov Francis Nwifuru, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to intervene decisively by ensuring that justice is served and that those responsible are held fully accountable. Silence or inaction in the face of this tragedy will only embolden further abuses and endanger the lives of innocent citizens.
“We also call on the Inspector-General of Police, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, the Police Service Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant bodies to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.”
Bike riders recount extortion, brutality
Riders of flashy and luxury bikes in the state have recounted their harrowing experiences with the police while riding their bikes.
One of them, Stanley Nwene, narrated he was kept under the sun for many hours by a policeman on duty who stopped him over the bike and he refused to give him money to continue his journey with the bike.
“I told one policeman in Abakaliki that am using the small scooter bike because of fuel efficiency and easy movement, the man get mind kept me under the sun for hours with no reason, simply because he wanted to extort me,
“Why is Ebonyi case always different? Why can’t citizens enjoy peace in their own state?
Ebonyi people hustle for money with their strength. Why all this embarrassment and bully from the police?
“Did the police think they are more powerful than the entire Ebonyi youths? Ebonyi police who, after seeing it clearly that the person riding a scooter bike is purely innocent and still want to extort him for their personal gain, are they not worse than Yahoo boys,” he queried.
Lazarus Nwite, another bike rider, also recounted how he was harassed by the police while riding the bike.
His words “In January this year, I came back to enjoy Christmas season in the state. I decided to use one of my friends’ bike to pick something at the stadium, but immediately I got to Roban Store junction, two young guys in jeans and black top rushed at me and held the bike as if I had committed any crime.
“So, I stopped and asked them what the problem was. They told me that it is because I’m riding on that rubber-rubber bike at such a late hour. I checked my time and it was past 8pm. I asked again, late hour at 8pm? They said yes, that it’s the order from the police.
“They asked me to come down from the bike so they could take it to their office or I should bail it there and the bailing was N20,000. My brother, I looked left and right and this was happening on Saturday, so if I let them take the bike away, it would be Monday before I could go to their office. And my phone was not even with me.
“I checked my wallet, and I had only N5,000. But they said it should be N20,000. Eventually, they took the N5000 and moved.”
Yet another victim, Frank Nwachukwu also narrated his own experience. His words: “I was harassed by an inspector and he threatened to take me to the station. He later said I should settle him. I gave him N500 and he rejected it, saying that it wasn’t enough for beer and I gave him all my last N1,000. After that, he started preaching the Bible to me. I just kept calm till he finished and I said to myself, let the Bible judge him. Amen.”
Caroline Nwite, who lives in Abakaliki, said policemen now move about with PoS machines which they use in transferring money from accounts of offenders, especially those riding exotic bikes and cars.
She lamented the high level of harassment and extortion the riders and drivers of these bikes and cars encounter on the road
A student of Ebonyi State University(EBSU), permanent site, Ikechukwu Oko who said he had an encounter with policemen on the Ishieke junction checkpoint. He said he was almost shot by the policemen because he was riding rubber bike and that he transferred N20,000 to the policemen with his phone before the bike was released to him.
“My experience with policemen at the Ishieke junction checkpoint last year was very bad. I was rushing to lectures with my rubber bike from the town and got to the checkpoint. I was actually on speed because I was going late for the lectures. When the policemen stopped me, I told them that I was rushing late for my lectures and I immediately continued my driving.
“But one of them at the back shouted to the one in front to stop me. When I continued, the one closest to me in front pulled his Ak-47 to shoot me. That was the time I stopped completely and the bike was impounded.
“I begged them for complete 45 minutes and they said I must pay N20,000 before it would be released. By that time, one of the lectures I was rushing to attend was over. I told them I didn’t have money, and they told me if I didn’t have cash, I should do a transfer. I had to transfer the N29,000 to the account number they gave me and the bike was released.”
Right group seek security reforms, respect for citizens’ right
A human right group in the state, Human Rights Defenders (HURIDE) said the incessant harassment, intimidation, extortion and other forms of right abuses that motorcycle operators and flashy car drivers are facing in the state underscore the urgent need for reforms, accountability, and respect for citizens’ rights.
Speaking to Saturday Sun, the Chairman of HURIDE, Dr. Oko Sampson Nweke, said the right group will continue to closely monitor these cases and remain committed to pursuing justice for the victims and ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to account in accordance with the law.
He revealed that the disturbing trend appears to be driven by a few bad eggs, not only within the police, but also among other security agencies and even members of neighbourhood security watch, a security outfit established by the state government for internal security.
Nweke said interactions with several victims reveal a troubling pattern, and that instead of conducting lawful checks, such as requesting vehicle particulars or identification, some operatives allegedly seize mobile phones and demand access to financial applications by forcing individuals to disclose their passwords. They said in certain cases, motorcycles are confiscated without due process.
“Disturbingly, there have been instances where seized motorcycles reportedly “disappear,” leaving owners without recourse. Such actions are unlawful, condemnable, and a clear abuse of authority.
“No law empowers security personnel to arbitrarily stop motorists or riders solely on the basis of the perceived value of their vehicles, nor to compel them to surrender phone passwords or grant access to personal banking applications. Any officer engaging in such conduct is operating outside the bounds of the law and must be held accountable,: he said.
