Senator-elect, Barr. Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, representing Ebonyi North senatorial zone, on Sunday, asked the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba to resign if he can’t stop extortion.
He said that the 10th National Assembly will summon the IGP to account for the various funds extorted from innocent Nigerians at police checkpoints.
Onyekachi, who spoke to newsmen hours after a thanksgiving service that took place at the ecumenical centre Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state.
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The lawmaker commented on the continuous intimidation, harassment and torture that innocent Nigerians pass through at the hands of brutal police officers at the various checkpoints in the country, especially in the Abuja metropolis.
He gave the IGP an ultimatum of seven days to sort out the matter that has become a ‘national disgrace.’
“I have observed with dismay the activities of the uniform men, not just at Onuebonyi junction, but all over Nigeria. I have travelled across the country.
“Even at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, policemen will stop you, instead of searching what you have, they will be interested in how much you will give them. Sometimes, if you give them N1,000, they will go and get your balance for you.
“They will charge you any amount of money they want you to pay, based on your personal assessment. These are one of the areas we are going to address at the 10th National Assembly. This nonsense can’t continue. Nigeria is not a Banana republic. This is a federation. And we have the rule of law,” he added.
Furthermore, Onyekachi said, “If the Nigerian government should engage Nigerian police to collect taxes on the road, it should be formalized. We can’t continue to keep quiet. It shouldn’t continue.
“This is a broad day robbery of innocent Nigerians. And we big men will come and they (police) will clear us and we will pass. But ordinary people will be there and be robbed with guns. What a country! Nigeria is the giant of Africa. It can’t continue.
“When the 10th National Assembly is inaugurated, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, will be summoned because as I speak, I have video evidence of over one hundred of these extortions going on.
“We will give him (IGP) this poser, can’t this stop? If it can’t stop within seven (7) days, he should leave the office. He is not qualified to be Inspector General of Police,” he said.
The Senator-elect said the angels will not come down from heaven to reshape this country. He charged fellow Nigerians to come to the aid of the country by contributing their patriotic quotas.
(Punch)
