From Duku Joel, Damaturu
There was a mild drama as Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum on Monday accused the army and police of extorting motorists on the Maiduguri/Damaturu highway.
He said they took money from those who had no national identity cards at a checkpoint.
An angry Zulum spoke at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Maiduguri on the Damaturu/Maiduguri highway where he met several stranded travellers.
He said the travellers told him they were stopped for not having national ID cards and were forced to part with money.
Those who could not pay said they were “detained”.
The Damaturu/Maiduguri road, though a relatively safe route connecting Maiduguri, has recently become increasingly dangerous.
Boko Haram has launched intermittent ambushes on security operatives and civilians on the highway.
Zulum was annoyed at the number of people he saw at the check-point on his way to Jakana, a town that was attacked by the insurgents on Sunday.
Read Also: Zulum’s model
Speaking in a raised voice, he accused security operatives of collecting money from the travellers.
He said: “This is unacceptable. How can you subject people to this kind of torture all in the name of National ID card?
“And you are all here collecting N500 and N1000 from poor travellers who don’t have a national ID card?”
A soldier approached the governor and tried to explain.
Zulum added: “This is not right. The Federal Government has not created an enabling environment for our people to get their National ID cards and you are here collecting N500 and N1000 as a fine for not having what the Federal Government has not provided for all.”
The governor claimed he received reports of soldiers and police exploiting travellers at check-points.
He directed one of his aides to contact the Theatre Commander on the phone.
Speaking with the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, the governor said: “Theater Commander where are you?
“Right now I’m at the checkpoint near state university and we have thousands of people stranded and your people are here collecting money from them because they don’t have National ID Card. Why?”
Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi later arrived at the scene to defend his men but the governor insisted that the soldiers were taking bribes.
Zulum told the Theatre Commander that his allegations were true.
“I saw them with my eyes. I spoke with people that were asked to give money!” Zulum insisted.
Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi said the gridlock was due to Sunday’s incident at Jakana but promised the governor to investigate the alleged extortion.
Zulum, who left in anger, told the Theatre Commander: “You must know that the government and people of Borno State are behind you and your men.
“But, you must call your soldiers to order; you must check their excesses.”
Leave a Reply