NUJ DECRIES INCREASE IN POLICE ROADBLOCKS IN DELTA

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council has raised the alarm over the return of police roadblocks in Delta State despite the ban on such roadblocks by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammad Abubakar Adamu.

The union, in a statement issued by the state chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and secretary, Comrade Churchill Oyoweh, condemned the ugly trend as it portrayed the state as unsafe to visitors and prospective investors.

Delta NUJ described the roadblocks as instruments of extortion and harassment, adding that the practice had subjected Deltans and motorists plying roads in Delta State to untold hardship, intimidation,unnecessary  delays and sometimes arrest.

The council accused the policè personnel on patrol of operating under the guise of staging nipping points for routine checks to mount road blocks.

” We are at a crossroad as to whether Delta State is exempted from the ban on road blocks. We see no reason why the police personnel under the Delta Command should flagrantly flout the order of the IGP pretending to be staging nipping points for routine checks whereas what we see on ground are full blown roadblocks for disrupting smooth flow of traffic, intimidation, extortion and unwarranted arrests” the union said.

It adds: “A journey from Warri to Agbor alone has over 10 road blocks.  From Koko Junction to Effurun roundabout we have over eight roadblocks. What are they all checking? It is uncalled for, they should fashion out better ways to track down criminals rather than subject innocent people to untold hardship.”

“It is worrisome to say that police in Delta State now carry lower denominations of our currency to make change handy at checkpoints and facilitate the illegal act and any attempt by motorists to refuse parting with stipulated amounts, usually attracts intimidation, harassment, undue delay and possible arrest. This act also takes place in the capital city of Asaba where the Police Headquarters is situated.”

The council called on the State Commissioner of Police Mr Adeyinka Adeleke, to put his officers on patrol in check before the trend snowballs into a crisis situation.