WARRI, DELTA STATE, October 17, 2026 – Commercial bus, tricycle and motorcycle operators in Warri, Uvwie and Udu have raised concerns over alleged extortion by police officers at multiple checkpoints, prompting the Delta State chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights to call on the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, to urgently intervene.
The CDHR chairman in Delta State, Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, made the call on Friday, October 16, following complaints that commercial transport operators were allegedly being compelled to pay N200 to police officers at every checkpoint they encountered along their routes.
Agberen said the repeated payments had become an additional burden for drivers already struggling with rising fuel costs, transport park tickets and vehicle maintenance expenses.
According to the human rights advocate, some roads reportedly have between eight and ten police checkpoints, exposing drivers to repeated demands for money during their daily operations.
Agberen, who said he drove along the DSC Expressway to observe the situation, described the alleged practice as unbearable for commercial transport operators trying to earn a living amid prevailing economic pressures.
“With fuel hike, park tickets, and maintenance cost already killing them, Police extortion is the last straw,” he said.
The complaints have renewed concerns about the conduct of some police personnel on major roads across the Warri metropolitan area and neighbouring communities.
Based on the amount reported by the drivers, a motorist who encounters eight checkpoints and pays N200 at each would spend N1,600, while a driver who encounters ten checkpoints would pay N2,000. These figures illustrate the potential cumulative cost if payment is demanded at every stop.
For operators making several trips in a day, such payments could substantially reduce their earnings and increase the cost of providing commercial transport services.
Agberen urged CP Erale to order the removal of illegal checkpoints, investigate the allegations and ensure that officers found guilty of extortion face appropriate disciplinary action.
He warned that failure to address the complaints could heighten public frustration and undermine confidence in law enforcement.
The CDHR chairman stressed that the responsibility of the police was to protect residents, prevent crime and maintain public safety, rather than impose unlawful financial demands on motorists.
He also called on the police commissioner to ensure that officers deployed to roads and highways carry out their duties professionally and in accordance with established regulations.
The allegations come as CP Erale, who assumed office as the 25th Commissioner of Police in Delta State in August 2026, has pledged to promote discipline, professionalism, respect for human rights and zero tolerance for corruption, extortion and other forms of misconduct within the command.
At his inaugural briefing in September, Erale outlined an approach focused on intelligence-led policing, crime prevention, improved community relations and the restoration of public confidence in the police.
The commissioner also warned officers to maintain professional standards and assured residents that the command would not tolerate extortion or harassment.
The latest complaints therefore present an opportunity for the command to demonstrate its commitment to those principles by investigating the allegations and addressing any misconduct established.
The issue of police checkpoints and alleged extortion has previously generated public concern in Delta State. In June 2026, commercial tricycle operators in Warri protested alleged harassment, extortion and unlawful arrests, while human rights advocates have separately called for the removal of illegal road obstructions and the investigation of officers accused of misconduct.
The recurring complaints have raised questions about the supervision of personnel deployed along commercial routes and the effectiveness of existing mechanisms for reporting abuses.
However, the specific allegations involving demands for N200 at multiple checkpoints have not been independently verified by IBN News, and the Delta State Police Command’s response to the latest complaints was not available at the time of publication.
The command is urged to establish the facts, identify any officers involved in unlawful collections and take appropriate action where wrongdoing is confirmed. A clear public reporting channel would also help affected drivers submit complaints and provide relevant details, including locations, dates and the identities of officers where known.
Commercial transport operators remain an important part of the local economy, connecting workers, traders, students and other residents across Warri, Uvwie and Udu. Ensuring that they can operate without unlawful demands is essential to public confidence and the smooth movement of people and goods.
The central demand from the drivers and human rights advocates is that the police should protect road users, remove illegal checkpoints, investigate allegations of extortion and discipline officers found responsible.
As the complaints gain attention, residents and commercial operators will be watching for a response from CP Erale and concrete steps to ensure that police operations remain lawful, professional and focused on public safety.
