Foodstuff dealers in the South-East region, covering Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi states, have attributed the relentless rise in food prices to multiple checkpoints and rampant extortion by officers of the Nigerian Army, Police, Naval ratings, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and other paramilitary agencies.
The dealers, under the aegis of the Food Vendors/Farmers Association of Nigeria, South-East chapter, allege that their members face serious extortion at multiple roadblocks while transporting farm products to various markets.
The association raised concerns over the growing number of roadblocks, describing them as “business centers” for security officers who exploit farmers and vendors, demanding various sums of money despite the traders already paying necessary state and federal levies.
An investigation conducted by newsmen between Sunday and Tuesday revealed that major highways such as the Onitsha-Owerri Road, which connects the old and Second Niger Bridges to Imo and Abia states, and the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway, which links the River Niger Bridge to Enugu and Ebonyi states, are dotted with numerous roadblocks manned by different security operatives.
These checkpoints also extend to smaller roads, where security personnel are seen extracting money from commercial and lorry drivers.
These extortion practices are said to be a significant factor contributing to the continuous increase in food prices across the region, as marketers factor in the bribes paid at these checkpoints when setting the final prices of their goods.
Earlier, in June, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission initiated a campaign to investigate the root causes of surging food prices in the region. Despite uncovering various issues, the problem persists.
During a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Onitsha, the Zonal Coordinator of the South-East Food Vendors/Farmers Association, Mazi Gabriel Ikem, expressed deep concern over the extortion at checkpoints, noting that it has made the South-East the region with the highest food prices in Nigeria.
He stated that if the federal and state governments could address this issue, food prices could drop by over 40 percent.
“The extortion our members face at these roadblocks has become a nightmare, making life unbearable and business difficult for us. This situation has a ripple effect, driving up prices as farmers and vendors factor in the cost of bribes,” Ikem lamented.
Ikem revealed that the association has written to the state governments, the Inspector General of Police, and heads of other security agencies, urging them to intervene, but extortion continues unabated.
He added that due to high transportation costs, coupled with extortion, vendors have resorted to purchasing lesser quantities, further exacerbating the problem.
“We are not against roadblocks, as they are necessary for security, but the extortion must stop. If addressed, we could see food prices crash by 40 percent. What sells for N2,000 in other regions costs N3,000 here because of this issue,” Ikem said.
The Secretary of the Association, Mrs. Ezinne Udeh, based in Ebonyi State, also voiced her concerns, stating that rising landing costs force traders to increase prices, resulting in reduced turnover as customers continue to complain.
Mrs. Udeh highlighted the escalating costs, stating, “A truck of foodstuffs that used to cost N40,000 to transport now costs nearly N250,000 due to bad roads, police extortion, and touts’ activities. We’ve complained to the government, but nothing has changed.”
Adding his voice to the outcry, the Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South-East, Mazi Chike Ndudi, emphasized the excessive number of roadblocks in the region, urging the authorities to address the situation.
“We are not against checkpoints, but the extortion at these roadblocks is unbearable. If addressed, it could alleviate the hardship faced by our people,” Ndudi remarked.
When contacted, the Anambra State Police Command spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, acknowledged the complaints and promised to relay them to the appropriate authorities. He asserted that no agency condones such acts.