Commercial drivers and road users in Calabar are raising alarm over alleged systematic extortion by police officers at checkpoints, particularly in the vicinity of Atakpa police station where a fatal shooting incident occurred earlier this year.

According to reports gathered by DAILY POST, teams of six police operatives are regularly deployed from around 7:30 PM to Calabar Road near Watt Market, opposite the Post Office, where they conduct what appears to be stop and search operations on passing vehicles.

Investigations reveal that instead of properly searching the vehicles, officers allegedly force drivers to pay between N200 and N500, using intimidation tactics including brandishing firearms. These operations reportedly continue nightly until about 10:30 PM.

Drivers Share Their Experiences

Young Emmanuel, an 18-seater commercial bus driver, expressed frustration over the situation: "My brother, these policemen have taken this thing as a right, forcing us to give them money. They will never listen to any explanation, whether you pass the road five times, you must give them money, not lower than N200."

Emmanuel further alleged that officers threaten drivers with their firearms to extort money. "They will bark, shout, aim their guns at drivers and threaten to pull the trigger. If you refuse to part with money, maybe because you have passed more than once or twice, they will force you to park, delaying you for nearly one hour," he said.

Another driver, Orji Igwe, claimed that similar extortion practices occur on other routes including the popular Marian Road, and that these activities are not limited to nighttime but happen throughout the day.

"They're not particular about checking road worthiness of vehicular papers or licence as they claim, but that's a cover up. When they call out for vehicle papers, they actually mean 'Bring money'," Igwe stated.

Police Response

When approached by a reporter seeking clarification about the alleged extortion, one of the officers identified only as Peter reportedly became hostile and threatening.

Attempts to reach the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olusegun Omosanyin, were unsuccessful. However, the state Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Igri Ewa, acknowledged the report, stating: "Thank you for the information. We will verify."

This alleged extortion is occurring in the same area where Inspector Effiong Bassey reportedly shot and killed two people while injuring several others on March 23, 2025, raising concerns about police conduct in the region.

Road users are calling for immediate intervention from higher authorities to address what they describe as a systematic extortion scheme that has become a daily burden for commercial drivers operating in Calabar.