ABEOKUTA– Residents and students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta living along the Adigbe-Opako road in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun state have cried out over what they described as illegal extortion by Police personnel along the route.
Speaking with The News Ville on Monday, an HND 1 student in the Mass Communication department simply identify as Blessing, stated that the activities of the police personnel from Adigbe police station increases the normal bike and taxi fare plying the route.
She noted that most motorcycle riders opt for other routes due to the illegal two hundred naira often taken by the police, adding that for those who decides to take the route increases the fare to accommodate the police fees.
“Most times, we pay higher to get to Adigbe, Opako and the environs. This is because the police stationed Ita Baale always collect at least 200 naira from each bike men.
” This attitude has been on for some time now which has further eaten deep into our finances as students. We cannot continue like this”, she fumes
A motorcyclist, Awoniyi Bidemi noted that their bike fare is subejected to the additional police fees which they normally give per trip.
“The 200 naira is per trip. They don’t ask for any particular of the bike or license. All they ask for is the 200 naira. If you like ply the route 100 times, you will pay the 200 naira the 100 times.
” We are tired too but what can we really do. If you argue too much, they will delay you, and sometimes arrest you and the bike with no just cause”, he added
Meanwhile, one of the student leader who spoke with our reporter noted that efforts are already ongoing to mobilise the student constituency to protest the activities of the police officers along the route.
“Their activities is in no way associated with security or protection. It is pure extortion and we will not allow it to continue. We are organizing within ourselves and very soon, you will hear from us”, he said
