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Christmas: Travellers decry highway extortion by fake council officials

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4 months ago

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Travellers heading to various parts of the country for the Christmas festivities have raised the alarm over rampant extortion by hoodlums masquerading as local government officials on major highways.

Those plying the eastern axis lamented that the hoodlums have taken over key sections of the Lagos–Onitsha Expressway, stopping motorists to demand radio licences or force them to pay arbitrary fines.

Victims said the activities are most pronounced around Ore in Ondo State, Benin City in Edo State, Asaba in Delta State, and the Onitsha Head Bridge in Anambra State. Families travelling home for the festive season told Vanguard that the most disturbing aspect is that the extortion is carried out in full view of security operatives, including police officers stationed at checkpoints along the highway.

One of the victims, a Lagos-based nurse travelling with her family to Imo State in a private Sienna bus, recounted her ordeal at a location described as a “customs checkpoint” in Asaba.

She said about seven roughly dressed young men blocked their vehicle and demanded a radio licence from the driver, who told them he knew nothing about such a requirement.

“They yanked open his door, dragged him out and shouted that if he failed to produce a radio licence, they would impound our vehicle. We had children with us and the sun was scorching. Despite our pleas, they deflated our tyres and forced our vehicle off the road,” she said.

According to her, several other vehicles were similarly forced off the busy highway by the hoodlums, who could not produce any form of identification.

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“Some of us approached policemen at the nearest checkpoint to complain, but to our shock, they brushed us aside, saying, ‘We are doing our work and they are doing their work.’ Our pleas, especially those of us with children, fell on deaf ears. Eventually, we were forced to part with money to continue our journey.

“Some paid N45,000, others N35,000 or N20,000, depending on their bargaining power. After payment, they gave us a phone number to call if we were stopped again. We were, in fact, stopped a few kilometres ahead by another group. When we called the number, nobody picked. We had no option but to pay again.

“Any motorist who challenged them had his tyres deflated and vehicle pushed off the highway, leaving passengers stranded for hours,” she added.

Another victim, a Lagos-based businessman, Mazi Ukadike, said both commercial and private vehicles were targeted.

He explained that motorists with fully wound-up windows sometimes managed to escape, while others were not so lucky, as their vehicles were damaged with sticks and cudgels wielded by the hoodlums.

“They force drivers with open windows to stop, drag them out and threaten to impound their vehicles unless they produce radio licences or pay fines. In my case, we were stopped on entering Asaba. Because we were not using the air conditioner, our windows were down.

“They aggressively demanded a radio licence. When we told them we didn’t understand what they meant, they pushed my driver out, took over the steering and drove the car onto a rough road off the highway to negotiate money.“They demanded N45,000. We pleaded and eventually paid N35,000. Like others, they gave us phone numbers to call if stopped again. These were the numbers they gave us: 09137214004 (John) and 08138755192 (Ifeanyi),” he said.

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A security expert based in Benin City, Mr. Kingsley Osa, told Vanguard that the development was not new.

“They have been doing this for a long time, but the police and other security agencies have failed to checkmate their excesses. It is a creation of corrupt local government chairmen who use it to settle their thugs.

“There was a time the police headquarters in Abuja issued a statement condemning the practice and warning that tough measures would be taken against anyone blocking highways under this guise.

Unfortunately, nothing came of it. They are everywhere on our highways and appear to be above the law,” he said.

When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, said he would reach out to police spokespersons in the affected states. However, as at press time, he was yet to respond.

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Assassination Attempt: Why People Want Me Dead – Trump

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8 hours ago

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April 26, 2026

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United States President, Donald Trump, has shared his thoughts on why he has faced repeated assassination threats.

It was reports that he spoke while reacting to a shooting incident that disrupted a media event in Washington.

The incident happened on April 25, 2026, during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held at the Washington Hilton. A gunman caused panic at the gathering, forcing security to act quickly and bringing the event to an abrupt halt.

Speaking after the situation was brought under control, Trump said he believes people who make great changes often become targets.

He linked the attack to his time in office, saying his actions and decisions have affected the country in ways that not everyone supports. He also compared such situations to past events involving well-known leaders who were attacked because of their influence.

The president referred to his past experience, including surviving an earlier assassination attempt at a campaign rally in 2024. He said, despite the risks attached to his position, he continues to live his life without fear and does not see himself as someone shaken by such threats.

He said, “I’ve studied assassinations. I must tell you the most impactful people, the people that do the most… they’re the ones that they go after. I hate to say I’m honoured by that, but I’ve done a lot. We’ve changed this country, and there are a lot of people that are not happy about that. I lead a pretty normal life, considering, you know, it’s a dangerous life. To be honest, I’m not a basket case. A tremendous amount of love and coming together. I was ready to give the most inappropriate speech ever made.”

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I Won’t Forget What IGP Disu Did To Me When I Was Under House Arrest – Obasanjo

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10 hours ago

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April 26, 2026

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Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for the role he played during the period he was placed under house arrest in 1995.

It was reports that the former Nigerian leader made this known in an interview with News Central, where he spoke about the difficult time he faced while being held under restriction during the military era. The development dates back to 1995 when Obasanjo was detained under the regime of Sani Abacha.

Obasanjo explained that during that period, a number of individuals stood by him and helped ensure his safety despite the tense situation. Among those he mentioned was the current police boss, whom he credited as one of the people who played a part in keeping him alive while he was under house arrest.

He said the experience remained one of the toughest moments in his life and added that he has not forgotten those who showed him care and support at the time. According to him, it was necessary to openly appreciate such efforts, as people who stand by others in difficult times should be remembered.

He said, “Current IGP, I have to in a special way acknowledge you because maybe the reason I am alive today is because you are one of those who kept me alive when I was under house arrest.”

Beyond his appreciation, the former president also spoke on the country’s security situation. He called for the creation of state police, saying it could help address the rising security concerns across Nigeria.

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Obasanjo explained that policing at the state level would allow officers to better understand their local environment and respond more quickly to threats. He added that such a system would help tackle crimes early before they grow into wider problems.

He maintained that Nigeria needs practical steps to deal with insecurity and insisted that state police remains one of the options that could strengthen law enforcement across the country.

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‘Na Hunger And Greed’ – Reactions As Tinubu’s ‘Supporter’ Struggles To Take Photo With Peter Obi

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11 hours ago

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April 26, 2026

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Some Nigerians have claimed that hunger and greed are driving many citizens to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

It was reports that this remark follows a video of Tinubu’s supposed supporter struggling to take a photo with former presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.

In the viral video, the man, wearing a cap bearing Tinubu’s insignia, joined other Nigerians as they tried to take a photo with Peter Obi.

The video has sparked mixed reactions from netizens.

@thefoodnetworking wrote: “Politicians dey get shame?”

@chinny005 wrote: “Dear APC supporters, we know you are only supporting because of your pockets, you can still vote for ADC on Election Day and God will bless you!”

@officialblessingnwakwo wrote: “We all know d truth, Peter Obi is loved by many.”

@freshbaba wrote: “Tinubu for mouth, Peter Obi for heart”

@nigerianguy wrote: “Na hunger and greed make most of them Dey wear the cap.”

@democraft wrote: “I never hear of celebrity P0litician before… Na Obi make me know say P0liticians fit be celebrity.”

@misschedel wrote: “An example of I will collect the cap nd still be with who I found fit “

@nochiz wote: “People maybe supporting tinubu for the money they get from it but deep down we all know obi is our best choice. I will vote for him again. And for the picture…. At dome point he has to answer to his children”

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