Nine people have been taken into custody by the Delta State Police Command as part of a statewide campaign against unauthorized revenue collecting along state highways and illegal roadblocks.
The command revealed that the enforcement action was started in accordance with the Federal Government’s order to eradicate criminal activity and extortion on Nigerian highways.
The operation started on Friday, according to a statement released on Sunday by SP Bright Edafe, the state police public relations officer. It targets well-known areas where unlawful toll collection and barricades have impeded free movement and put drivers in risk.
The statement claims that the suspects were apprehended at key sites, such as the Benin-Asaba Expressway close to Agbor and the Head Bridge axis at the Delta-Anambra border.
“In strict accordance with the Federal Government’s decision to free Nigerian roads of extortion and criminal activities, the Delta State Police Command has initiated a statewide crackdown on illegal roadblocks and unauthorized revenue collection along highways.
The statement said, “During the operation, nine suspects were arrested at strategic locations, including the Benin-Asaba Expressway by Agbor, the Head Bridge axis, and the boundary between Delta and Anambra states.”
According to the police, all of the suspects are being held and will face charges in court once the investigations are over.
The command cautioned that such enforcement actions would continue in other places and reiterated its commitment to reestablishing order on state highways.
The Delta State Police Command reaffirms its dedication to bringing safety and sanity back to the state’s highways.
“To ensure that drivers and commuters travel without harassment or illegal levies, similar enforcement exercises will be replicated in other parts of Delta,” the statement continued.
Additionally, throughout the ongoing activities, the police asked the public to assist law enforcement.
