…dismantle 20 on Vandeikya-Konshisha road

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

More than 20 roadblocks have been uncovered along the Vandeikya–Konshisha road by the Benue state government, in an operation to ensure immediate dismantling of the illegal checkpoints in the state.

The operation was carried out by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, during an inspection tour of Konshisha Local Government Area, LGA, of the state.

A statement by his media aide, Mfa Igirgi, said the exercise brought relief to motorists, commuters, and residents who had long complained of harassment and extortion along the route.

According to the statement, investigations revealed that while three checkpoints were legitimately operated by the Nigeria Police and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards (BSCPG), the remaining roadblocks had been illegally erected by youth groups, members of the Benue Motorcycle Association, BEMOA, and individuals impersonating Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) officials or untrained BSCPG personnel.

The statement noted that those behind the unauthorized checkpoints had been extorting money from motorists and traders using the road.

Chief Har described the proliferation of illegal roadblocks as an unnecessary hardship on commuters and business owners.

“The illegal checkpoints constitute a needless burden on road users and traders, who lose both time and money to extortion,” he said.

He warned individuals involved in the illegal activities to desist immediately and urged residents to “report any cases of illegal checkpoints or extortion to the appropriate security authorities for prompt action.”

Motorists, commuters, and residents who witnessed the exercise commended the state government’s intervention, describing it as timely. They, however, appealed for sustained patrols and monitoring of the road, alleging that unemployed youths often return to re-establish the illegal checkpoints after enforcement teams leave in order to continue extorting travellers.