Some commercial motorcycle operators in Gombe State have accused policemen enforcing the ban on the motorcycle movement of alleged extortion.

The Gombe State Police Command on June 11, restricted motorcycle movement between 7:00 pm and 6:00 am in Gombe metropolis.

However, the motorcyclists in separate interviews in Gombe on Wednesday, alleged that some police officers were using the order to extort them.

A rider at Kagarawal area of Gombe metropolis, Ismail Kawu, alleged that the cops extorted him twice of N3,000 and N5,000, respectively.

He alleged that some policemen stopped him around Gombe State University’s gate, and collected N3,000 from him.

Another cyclist, Ibrahim Abdul, said he suffered a similar fate in the hands of policemen attached to Gona Division, around Corner Alheri.

The cyclist said that he paid N5,000 to the policeman, who seized his motorcycle while he was returning home from the day’s job around 7:00 pm.

He said, “I was not carrying anyone but riding home to rest for the day; only for me to be stopped and my bike seized. I was forced to pay N5,000 for nothing, leaving me with only N2,000 to fend for my household. I am not against the ban but the recklessness at which the police abuse their power is alarming. We are Nigerians and we deserve respect as we are doing our legitimate business, we shouldn’t be harassed.’’

Another rider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the police should be civil and respect human rights in the enforcement of the ban.

He urged the state government and the police authorities to monitor the enforcement of the ban to achieve its purpose.

Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said that the command had not received a report of extortion against any of its personnel across the 47 checkpoints set up to enforce the ban.

He said the command also deployed senior officers to monitor the operation, adding that the allegations would be investigated.

Mr Abdullahi said, “I assure members of the public that necessary actions will be taken against erring officers.’’

Urging residents of the state to support the police, Mr Abdullahi said that the measures put in place had yielded positive results by reducing the crime rate.

(NAN)