Motorists Get Hope as Sen. Nwebonyi Confronts Highway Extortion
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi
From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate representing Ebonyi North District, Barr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi, yesterday assured Nigerians—motorists in particular—that he would continue to advocate on the floor of the Senate for the elimination of extortion by security operatives on highways.
Nwebonyi gave this assurance at a stakeholders’ consultation meeting held at the Abakaliki Local Government Headquarters in Ebonyi State.
He disclosed that he personally intervened in an incident involving police officers allegedly extorting money from motorists in the Abakaliki area of the state.
Insidenutnewsng.com gathered that the encounter occurred near Ogbala Marketplace while he was en route to the event.
“I observed police personnel stopping motorists and demanding money unlawfully. I intervened immediately, and they vacated the location,”
“I am going to reintroduce another motion in the Senate to end this unlawful extortion by some bad eggs in the police,” he added.
The lawmaker, who described the act as a violation of human rights and a threat to public confidence in law enforcement, maintained that the persistence of such practices on highways is undermining ongoing police reform initiatives.
“It weakens trust in Nigeria’s internal security framework. It is time to end it entirely, and I am committed to doing that,”
“Again, with the appointment of a new Inspector-General of Police, there is an expectation of enhanced operational discipline and accountability.
“However, emerging reports and findings suggest a relapse into unprofessional conduct by some officers. This requires decisive intervention,” he added.
Nwebonyi noted that he had earlier sponsored a motion during the first session of the 10th National Assembly addressing the rights of citizens on highways.
He stressed that the resurgence of extortion among some police officers reflects weak enforcement and institutional deficiencies in advancing security.
Speaking on the purpose of the meeting, the lawmaker explained that his ongoing engagement with grassroots stakeholders forms part of his political activities ahead of the next elections.
The Deputy Chief Whip also highlighted his legislative and constituency interventions in the Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, including road projects, community-based empowerment programmes, educational facilities, agricultural support initiatives, construction of bungalows for indigent widows, and scholarships for students.
He emphasized that these projects demonstrate his commitment to effective representation, which, he said, would be sustained if he is re-elected in 2027.
