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One of the numerous checkpoints along Zaki-Biam-Wukari highway
By Anthony Maliki
Commercial drivers plying the inter-state highway between Zaki-Biam in Benue State and Wukari in Taraba State continue to groan over the numerous checkpoints along the route where security agents collect money from them unabated.
Commercial drivers from Makurdi, Katsina-Ala and Gboko plying the 48-kilometre route to Wukari and beyond from Zaki-Biam say the highway has become a nightmare as security agents stationed to maintain peace and order in the area have become “tax collectors.”
Apex News Exclusive reporter joined a commercial vehicle from Makurdi to Wukari and observed that at most of the checkpoints, the driver gives N50 or N100 before being allowed to pass.
The driver complained that the checkpoint between Jootar in Benue State and Wukari in Taraba State of about 10 kilometres has 20 security points and at each, they part with money.
He also said that the charges are higher for vehicles with lots of goods and that is why some of them prefer passengers with less luggage.
At one checkpoint, the Police security officer refused to collect the N50 given by the driver saying it ought to be N100. When the driver said he has only N1000 bill on him, the Police officer collected the sum and gave him a balance of N900.
Apex News Exclusive observed that the Army, Police, Special Forces and personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps manning these checkpoints all demand for money.
At most of the checkpoints, the security personnel employ the services of young locals who barricade the road with log of wood placed of small wheels or cart and only pull them off only when the “toll” is paid.
A driver in Wukari told our reporter that instead of being concern with insecurity, security agents turned the other way and just collect money and that arms and ammunition could be passing through their noses to kidnappers and bandits.
In March this year, Terkula, the elder brother of former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam was shot and killed in Anyiin while numerous kidnap cases were reported in Wukari, Suntai, Donga, Mararaba and Takum areas.
