A new report has shed light on what civil society groups are calling a “widespread culture of extortion” at nearly 200 security checkpoints across Nigeria’s South-East, with allegations that motorists, traders, and everyday commuters are losing as much as ₦1.3 trillion annually to illegal roadside payments. The revelations have sparked concern not only domestically but also among international observers who warn that such practices could undermine regional stability and economic development.
The report, released by the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), alleges that checkpoints operated by various security agencies—including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army—have effectively turned public highways into informal toll stations. Drivers are reportedly forced to hand over amounts ranging from ₦100 to ₦5,000 at each stop, depending on the type of vehicle, the goods being transported, or the discretion of security personnel stationed along key routes.
The scale of the alleged extortion is significant. The report suggests that travelers can encounter 20 to 40 checkpoints along certain major highways, meaning the cumulative costs can become substantial even for a single journey. The total annual financial burden on the population, FENRAD claims, could reach as high as ₦1.3 trillion, a figure that raises serious questions about governance, accountability, and security strategy in Nigeria’s South-East region.
The checkpoints are concentrated across the five states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. Key trade corridors such as the Aba–Port Harcourt Road, the Owerri–Onitsha Road, the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, and the Onitsha–Enugu Expressway have been highlighted as hotspots where commuters frequently encounter multiple checkpoints. These highways are crucial for commerce and transport, and their obstruction has economic consequences far beyond the immediate extortion of motorists.
International observers have warned that the situation could undermine investor confidence in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East, which is one of the country’s most industrially and commercially active regions. “If unchecked, systemic extortion at security checkpoints could affect not only internal commerce but also Nigeria’s trade relations with its neighbours and international investors,” said a West African governance analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Beyond the financial impact, the report also raises serious human rights concerns. FENRAD documented numerous cases of harassment and intimidation, including unlawful searches of personal belongings, forced inspection of mobile devices, and detention of motorists who refuse to make payments. The organisation argues that these practices violate Nigeria’s constitution, which guarantees protection from degrading treatment, unlawful detention, and arbitrary interference in citizens’ private lives.
“Security operations must protect lives and property, not exploit citizens already facing economic hardship,” said Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, FENRAD’s executive director. The group also warned that reliance on such checkpoint-heavy policing risks fostering corruption within security forces, eroding public trust in law enforcement and contributing to broader instability.
The international community has already taken note of Nigeria’s internal security challenges. Multilateral organisations, including the United Nations and the African Union, have repeatedly emphasised that corruption within security institutions can exacerbate insurgency, separatist movements, and organised crime. Analysts say the unchecked proliferation of checkpoints in the South-East could exacerbate tensions in a region already sensitive due to separatist agitations and historical grievances.
Transport unions and traders in the region have echoed these concerns, noting that the cost of unofficial payments is often passed onto consumers through higher prices for goods and services, inflating the cost of living. For many residents, navigating the South-East’s highways has become an expensive and stressful daily routine, contributing to social unrest and frustration with both local and federal authorities.
Critics argue that the checkpoint system reflects a broader failure of governance, where the enforcement of law and order has shifted toward opportunistic revenue collection rather than protecting citizens and commerce. Calls are now mounting for the Nigerian government to implement reforms, including reducing the number of checkpoints, introducing monitoring systems for officers, and establishing independent complaint mechanisms for citizens to report abuses safely.
International financial institutions have previously linked corruption in security and law enforcement to weakened economic growth. FENRAD’s report is likely to raise alarms among investors and development agencies assessing Nigeria’s business environment, particularly given that the South-East is home to several industrial hubs and export-oriented businesses.
Security analysts also argue for a shift from checkpoint-heavy strategies to intelligence-led policing, which could reduce opportunities for corruption while still addressing genuine security threats. This, they say, could also improve Nigeria’s international image as a country capable of providing both economic opportunity and citizen security.
Many commuters and traders in South-East Nigeria continue to navigate what critics call an “extortion highway,” facing daily demands for payments and risking harassment if they resist. While FENRAD’s report has sparked national and international attention, observers warn that without concrete action from authorities, the situation could worsen, further undermining trust in Nigeria’s security institutions and threatening economic stability in one of the country’s most vital regions.
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