Kwara commercial  motorcyclists cry out over alleged extortion by traffic wardens

…we don’t have such report – PPRO

Stories by Ahmed Ajikobi

Commercial motorcyclists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital have cried out over alleged extortion by traffic wardens from the state Police Command.
Some of the motorcyclists who spoke to our reporter alleged that the traffic wardens arrest them on trump up charges and subsequently ask them to bail themselves with the sum of N1,000 and above.
Pilot Crime gathered  that the alleged extortion by the traffic wardens usually take place in areas like Unity, Maraba, Taiwo road, Challenge and Post Office, within the metropolis.
It was further learnt that victims who did not part with the money had their motorcycles seized by the police officers.
A motorcyclist, Lawal Olayiwola who decried the alleged incessant harrassment of commercial motorcyclists by traffic wardens, said he had fallen victim a couple of times.
Narrating  his ordeal Olayiwola said, “On a fateful day, my passenger wanted to buy airtime, so I stopped for him at Challenge area to make the purchase.
“All of a sudden I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned back and saw a traffic warden. He demanded to know why I was at that spot and I explained my mission to him. To my surprise, he tried to seize the key of my motorcycle, but I knew I had not committed any offence.
” He stood for a while and later said because one of the side mirrors of the motorcycle is missing I would have to pay N2,500. After several pleas by myself and people around he collected N1,000 from me.”
Olayiwola also recalled another encounter with a traffic warden around Maraba area, penultimate Wednesday, when he was arrested for wearing cardigan over his identification jacket.
According to him, the traffic warden demanded to know why he wore cardigan over the jacket and accused him of trying to carry out a sinister act.
“I pleaded profusely when he wanted to seize my motorcycle but he insisted that I must pay N4,000. On the long run, I was made to part with N1,500 before the traffic warden released my key,” he added.
Similarly, another commercial motorcyclist who simply identified himself as Lukman said the traffic wardens have become their nightmare.
” One day,  I was helping a pregnant passenger offload her wares at Obbo road when a traffic wardens on patrol accosted me. They immediately removed the key of my motorcycle and asked me to get into their vehicle. I demanded to know my offence but I was not given any explanation.
“I put a call through to a police friend who advised that I should follow them to the station. But, on our way they stopped at a corner and asked that I should give them N3,000. I told them I didn’t have up to that on me. At last, they collected N1,000 from me,” he further said.
Also, Abdulrahman Saad claimed he was arrested by traffic wardens, at Taiwo Isale area, for no just cause and made to part with N1,500.
Speaking on the development, the state President of Motorcyclists Association, Alh. Fatai Oladimeji appealed  to the state Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun for intervention in the matter.
He stressed that the alleged harassment of  motorcyclists by policemen  is adversely affecting  their economic activities.
In his reaction, the state Police Spokesperson, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi said  the command has not received any of such  reports.
He disclosed that the only related cases are those of motorcyclists arrested for not having helmets and flaunting traffic violation offences.
” The Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun will not condone such act by any officer and anyone found wanting  will be punished.
“They(motorcyclists) should report  such matter to command and the command will investigate  the matter. I’m hearing it for the first time from you and I will look into the matter,” Okasanmi assured.