The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Imo has charged the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to rise against the alleged extortion of its members on the highways.
The group’s charge is contained in an open letter to the NURTW, signed by its state Chairman, Mr Chima Chukwunyere, and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the letter, captioned “The continous defiling of the ethics of the profession”, was copied to the Imo Commissioner of Police, state Director of DSS, and the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Obinze in Owerri.
Chukwunyere called on the union and other motorists in the state to resist the extortion of youths by some security agents on major highways in the state.
He stated: “I wish to draw the attention of your office and other transport unions in the state to the continuous defilement of the ethics of your profession by the security agents in Imo.
“This act is not peculiar to the Police as other security agents, especially from the Joint Task Force, are also culpable.”
Chukwunyere disclosed that his attention was drawn by hoteliers to complaints by their guests about the treatment usually meted to them by security operatives in the state.
He contended that the hoteliers further alleged that the ugly situation had led to a decline in patronage.
He further reminded the NURTW about the recent warnings by the Inspector General of Police to his personnel against the intimidation of fellow citizens by forcefully collecting and accessing their personal mobile cellphones.
He said that government perceived the actions of the security agents as not only illegal but a “broad day robbery” in government uniforms.
“Some of them forcefully paid between N200,000 and N300,000 with a threat that if they refuse to pay, they would be tagged members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra.
“The PCRC vehemently condemns the manner and idea of security operatives on patrol and road blocks forcing youths to alight from their vehicles and asking drivers to drive away with the intent to extort the passengers.
“Any driver or road user who experiences such should stop immediately, resist the security agencies and call the Police Emergency Security number 08034773600 or call the Police Spokesperson on 08148024755,” he added. (NAN)
