Traders petition IGP over extortion, intimidation in Ebonyi

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Traders at the popular Integrated Building material market in Abakaliki have called on the attention of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on the alleged unlawful harassment and extortion from men of Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi state. The president of integrated Building material, Mr Fidelis Onwe call for the attention of the IGP while interacting with Journalists on Wednesday. Onwe who said activities of the police men have affected their businesses noted that customers have preferred patronizing roadside sellers instead of going to the new market as squad identified as 'Safer Highway' allegedly molest them like common criminal. He explained that the squad have posed as a threat to business activities in the market as they target customers going to the new market by molesting and delay them, thereby, forcing them to either pay their way out or go back to town. "We're calling on the attention of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over the activities of the men of Police Force identified as Safer Highway here along the Afikpo highway opposite the Immaculate Conception Catholic church. "Their activities have badly affected our customers as many of them have preferred patronizing roadside sellers instead of coming to the new Integrated Building Material Market. "Recall that we just relocated to this market new, but these men stage before the market molesting and extorting our customers and when you refuse to settle them, will delay you for hours and that's affecting our business. "We are appealing to the IGP, Commissioner of Police, and other concern authority to call them to order. he said