In 2020, I drove to a checking point in Akwa Ibom State and was stopped by a police officer. Meanwhile, I had passed there in the morning of same day without any stopping order. However, this time, one of them asked me to stop which I did. He asked me to open the car's boot but I explained to him that there was nothing inside. He insisted and I had to open the boot. He chided- what made me to feel too big to open it. I answered that I was driving a private car. He poured venomous words but I chose to ignore and informed him he shouldn't harass me as I will report him to his superiors. His colleague stood up and vowed to damage my phone. I kept quiet. The one who harassed me earlier came close to me and offered me three slanderous and hurtful slaps on my face. My eldest brother who sat infront of the car queried why he slapped me. The policeman threatenwd that he will shoot us and claim it was accidental discharge. I pleaded with my brother to leave them. Fortunately, I reached out to the then Commissioner of police , Andrew who ordered for the arrest and trial of the police officer.
This evil malady of daily harassment of innocent citizens must stop henceforth.
From the boundary between Akwa Ibom State and Abia, (Azumini/Iwukem) to the Police Station in Ukanafun Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State there are up to about ten checkpoints where motorists are unjustly harassed and some especially motor cyclists and Keke operators are detained or tortured for refusing to part with N100. Also between Eleme Junction in Port Harcourt and Obehie in Abia State, there are uncountable number of checkpoints. They demand and extort money from motorists as if that's their legitimate entitlement!
Is this the country of our dream?
I believe a new Nigeria is POssible!