Cross River Police Commissioner Warns Officers Against Extorting Motorists

The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has warned police officers against demanding or collecting money from motorists and commercial transport operators during stop-and-search operations.

Ordue said no police officer was authorised to demand, solicit or compel drivers or riders to make payments during stop-and-search exercises or any other lawful police operation.

The warning followed renewed complaints of alleged extortion involving commercial drivers and tricycle operators in Calabar and other parts of the state.

Represented by the Divisional Police Officer of Atakpa Police Division, CSP Azenda Peter, the commissioner issued the warning on Saturday during an engagement with major transport stakeholders in Calabar.

Ordue urged drivers and riders not to make illegal payments to police personnel and advised them to promptly report any officer who demands or solicits money from them.

The commissioner, however, stressed that the ban on extortion did not exempt motorists and riders from obeying traffic regulations and lawful directives from police officers. He said violations would be handled through established legal and enforcement procedures.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, Ordue also reminded officers of the need to maintain professionalism, discipline and integrity while carrying out their duties.

He assured transport stakeholders that the Command would continue engaging with members of the public to address legitimate complaints and would investigate credible allegations of police misconduct in line with the law.

The meeting was attended by representatives of major transport groups, including the Unified Commercial Drivers Association of Cross River State and the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria in Calabar South and the municipality.