Motion Sponsor, Senator Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi, says the law enforcement agency has taken undue advantage of the law, which empowers them to conduct stop and search by resorting to extortion, intimidation and harassment of motorists.
The Senate has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egebtokun, to direct officers and men of the Nigeria Police to halt the extortion, intimidation and harassment of motorists and commuters on the highway.
This was contained in a motion titled; ‘Urgent Nedd to Halt the Extortion, Intimidation and Harassment of Motorists and Commuters by the Police on Public Roads,’ sponsored by Senator Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North).
In his lead debate, he stated that the primary function of the law enforcement agency is to facilitate free passage and movement on highways. He also stated that “Section 49 (1) of the Police Act, 2020 empowers the police to conduct stop and search operation while sub section (2) empowers them to search and detain any person or vehicle where reasonable ground for suspicion exists.”
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While stressing the development as a call for urgent action, he said that the Police has taken undue advantage by resorting to extortion, intimidation and harassment of motorists.
Senator Barau JIbrin (Deputy Senate President), Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central), and Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) supported this motion.
The Senate, therefore, urged the Inspector General of Police to train and retrain its workforce to enhance performance.
