Youth Group Partner Govt against Corruption

Worried about the rising incidence of extortion on roads in Abia state, an anti-bribery and corruption group under the aegis of Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative (YSAD), has mapped out plans to collaborate with government agencies, and other critical stakeholders in order to challenge illegal toll collection and extortion by policemen on roadblocks.

It said the demand and giving of bribe was exploitative, extortionist, and carried out through harassment of road users, by law enforcement agents on road blocks, and should therefore, be stopped. 

 Chief Executive Officer of the group,  Mr Ogbonna Nwagbara, in a forum in Aba, Abia State, regretted that many violent demonstrations in the country, including the EndSARS protests in October, last year, were ignited by brutality and extortion by the men in uniform.

Nwagbara noted that with the evolving new order, Nigerians and indeed, the world, no longer need such experiences as they have been overtaken by the quest for greater citizens’ technological advancement in socio economic and political freedom.

He said YSAD, will further engage in campaigns aimed at discouraging official irresponsibility, and rascality in carrying out official duties by government agents, as was displayed in a recent event at Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, where a policeman, Chinedu Nwachukwu, allegedly raped an 18 year old student.

“We shall partner with road transport workers, security and para military agencies, to make our case that extortion and harassment such as we see on our roads daily, have had a negative effect on our nation’s image and should be stopped.

Nwachukwu, urged members of the public, especially motorists, to always ensure good behaviour and that their vehicle particulars were in order to avoid giving security personnel on road checks, opportunities to threaten and demand bribe before allowing them passage.

He vowed that his group will work with the authorities towards fishing out those destroying the image of the police through intimidation and inducement to force ‘so called defaulters’ to part with their money before continuing their journeys.

He also called on motor transport unions operating in the State, to educate their members in all motor parks to desist from overloading and any other acts that will make them offer bribes to policemen on road blocks.

According to him, the media will be involved in public campaigns on educating the masses on the issue. A cross section of the society, including professionals, security operatives, the business community, transport unions, polytechnic students and their lecturers attended the event.