Nightly police extortions in Calabar spark outrage among motorists

DDM News

Residents and motorists in Calabar have raised alarm over a disturbing trend of extortion allegedly carried out nightly by teams of armed policemen near Atakpa Police Station.

The reported extortion points are concentrated along Calabar Road by Watt Market, directly opposite the Calabar Post Office, just steps away from the police station.

According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the practice reportedly begins around 7:30pm daily, involving groups of six police officers stationed at the location under the guise of conducting stop-and-search operations.

However, what should be a lawful security routine has become a source of dread and frustration for commercial and private motorists.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered from on-the-ground observations that rather than performing legitimate searches, these officers allegedly extort money ranging from ₦200 to ₦500 from every commercial vehicle that passes through, often under threat of violence.

This location is the same neighborhood where, on 23 March 2025, Inspector Effiong Bassey was reported to have shot and killed two individuals and injured others, an incident that raised serious concerns about police conduct in the area.

The extortion activities, which reportedly last from 8pm to about 10:30pm nightly, have persisted even after that tragic shooting.

A correspondent from Saga Gist, who visited the area on multiple occasions, confirmed witnessing the extortion in progress.

Speaking anonymously, several commercial drivers expressed deep frustration over the daily bribes.

Young Emmanuel, an 18-seater bus driver, lamented, “They treat it like a toll fee. No matter how many times you pass, they force you to pay.”

He said officers aggressively demand money, sometimes pointing guns at drivers, barking orders, and threatening to shoot if their demands are not met.

“If you refuse, they delay you for close to an hour,” Emmanuel added. “Imagine how much they make if each bus pays ₦500 several times each night.”

Another driver, Orji Igwe, operating around Marian Road, affirmed that the extortion is not limited to Calabar Road or nighttime hours.

He said such illegal demands occur across other suburbs at all hours of the day.

“When they say, ‘Bring your papers,’ they’re not asking for documents, they want money,” he alleged.

Attempts to speak with some of the officers at the checkpoint were met with hostility.

One officer, who identified himself only as “Peter” and had no name tag, reportedly threatened a Saga Gist reporter who questioned him about the reason behind the collections.

Efforts to reach the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olusegun Omosanyin, were unsuccessful.

However, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Igri Ewa, responded briefly, stating, “Thank you for the information. We will verify.”

The growing public outcry points to an urgent need for the Nigeria Police Force to investigate these allegations and restore discipline among its personnel in Calabar.

Failure to act could erode public trust in law enforcement and fuel broader resentment in an already tense region.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook