Resign if you can’t stop extortion – Senator-elect, Nwaebonyi tells IGP

Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, a senator-elect from the Ebonyi North senatorial zone, announced on Sunday that the 10th National Assembly would call Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba to account for the various sums of money that had been taken from unwary Nigerians at checkpoints.

Speaking to reporters hours after a Thanksgiving service at the ecumenical center in the Ebonyi state capital of Abakaliki, Nwaebonyi demanded that IGP Usman step down from his position if he does not put an end to the extortion at checkpoints.

The legislator bemoaned the ongoing intimidation, harassment, and torture that helpless Nigerians endure at numerous checkpoints across the nation, particularly in the capital city of Abuja.

He called on the IGP, Usman Akali Baba to resign from office if he can’t stop the extortion within seven (7) days.

“I have observed with dismay the activities of the uniform men, not just at Onuebonyi junction, but all over Nigeria. I have traveled across the country.

“Even at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, policemen will stop you, instead of searching what you have, they will be interested in how much you will give them. Sometimes, if you give them one thousand naira, they will go and get your balance for you.

“They will charge you any amount of money they want you to pay, based on your personal assessment. These are one of the areas we are going to address at the 10th National Assembly. This nonsense can’t continue. Nigeria is not a Banana republic. This is a federation. And we have the rule of law.

“If the Nigerian government should engage Nigeria police to collect taxes on the road, it should be formalized. We can’t continue to keep quiet. It shouldn’t continue.

“This is a broad day robbery of innocent Nigerians. And we big men will come and they (police) will clear us and we will pass. But the ordinary people will be there and be robbed with guns. What a country? Nigeria is the giant of Africa. It can’t continue.

“When the 10th National Assembly is inaugurated, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, will be summoned because as I speak, I have video evidence of over one hundred of these extortions going on.

“We will give him (IGP) this poser, can’t this stop? If it can’t stop within seven (7) days, he should leave the office. He is not qualified to be Inspector General of Police.

“We will tell ourselves the truth. The Angels will not come down to reshape this country, it is we, ourselves will do it. The right thing must be done,” he stated.