Alleged Extortion: Our men not culpable of allegation – CP
By Ahmed Ajikobi
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday,
exonerated his men and officers from the allegation of extortion
levelled against the police by commercial motorcyclists otherwise
known as Okada riders in the state.
Egbetokun said after the completion of investigation on the matter, it
was discovered that the policemen did not collide with leadership of
Okada riders in the state to extort them.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) made this known during a press
briefing at the Police headquarters while parading suspects arrested
during the protest by Okada riders, last week in Ilorin.
He said that there was no way the commercial motorcyclists would have
protested over extortion because the command released phone numbers to
the public to report any illicit conduct by its officers.
“Since I resumed office, I have strongly addressed the issue of
extortion on the high way. We hardly get a report of extortion. Ask
them how long they have experience extortion and they will tell you
it’s been long.
“My phone number is outside for members of the public to call and my
office is open for anyone to report any suspicious act of officers.”
The CP however blamed internal crisis and leadership crisis among the
Okada riders for the protest.
“There is a group who want to take over from the present leadership.
It’s just an internal issue among the commercial motorcyclists
association.
“Those who staged the protest did so to show that they are capable of
leading the association.
“They also said that, the levy they are paying to KWARTMA is too much
and they also complained of their leadership mismanagement.
“They said they contributed up to N10million which was squandered by
their leadership.”
The CP added that, the commercial motorcyclists accused their leaders
of extorting money from them to give officials of the Kwara State Road
Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) as
‘settlement,’ a claim he debunked.
He however pledged with members of the public to support police in the
fight against crime adding that police cannot do it alone.
“That’s why our policing philosophy in the state is community-based.
We belief we need to engage members of the public to partner with us.”
… KWARTMA denies libel against KWSG
The Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) has
debunked the allegation of its officers trying to malign the present
administration following the attack on the headquarters of the agency
in Ilorin by commercial motorcyclists otherwise known as Okada riders.
KWARTMA in a statement signed by its Press Secretary, Salihu Mohammed
on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Babatunde Bello,
said, “The attention of KWARTMA has been drawn to some statements
circulating on several platforms on the social media including
Whatsapp and Facebook. These statements are capitalizing on the
dastardly acts carried out by Okada Motorists on KWARTMA Headquarters
on 18th June, 2019 to malign this present administration and engage in
mudslinging of the current administration.
“We wish to state unequivocally that KWARTMA and the entire KWARTMA
staff have nothing whatsoever to do with those statements and
articles.”
The statement added that KWARTMA believes in professionalism as civil
servants and taking proper courses in achieving progress as may be
adopted by the state government.
“It is our finding that these statements are deliberate and are issued
without the interest and knowledge of KWARTMA. ”
The agency stated that relevant stakeholders led by the Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport had visited KWARTMA office
agency to assess the level of damages and to sympathise with the CEO
and staff over the incident.
It added that the delegation assured the agency that the perpetrators
will be brought to book.
KWARTMA however charged all well-meaning individuals and groups to
disregard, discourage and stop all statements and articles designed to
paint the agency as anti-government.
“KWARTMA’s loyalty and dedication to the state government and the
current administration is extant, unwavering and unflinching as we
continue to put in our best by carrying out our statutory
responsibilities without fear or favour.”