By Willies Ugo, Gombe
Gombe State – July 24, 2025 | Newspointer News
The Gombe State Police Command has responded to mounting allegations of extortion by officers enforcing the recent motorcycle curfew in the state capital.
The state government had, on June 11, 2025, banned the movement of motorcycles between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to curb rising cases of Kalare (political thuggery), phone snatching, and other criminal activities.
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However, investigations by our correspondent reveal that some police officers stationed at checkpoints in Gombe metropolis have allegedly turned enforcement into an avenue for extortion. Victims say they are being forced to pay bribes ranging from ₦3,000 to ₦5,000, often just minutes before the curfew begins.
Malam Ismail Kawu, a commercial motorcyclist in the Kagarawal area, said he was stopped by officers near the state university gate around 6:50 p.m. and forced to hand over ₦3,000—the total amount he had earned that day.
Another rider, Ibrahim Abdul, said he paid ₦5,000 to retrieve his motorcycle after being stopped by officers attached to Gona Division around Kwanan Alheri at exactly 7:00 p.m.
“I was forced to pay ₦5,000 for no reason, leaving me with just ₦2,000 to feed my family,” he lamented. “I support the ban, but the abuse of power by officers is alarming.”
Several other riders from communities such as Nayi Nawa, Madaki, and Barunde shared similar accounts, urging the state government and the police command to take action.
“If the ban is meant to fight criminality, what do we call the extortion by officers?” one rider questioned.
In reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Gombe State Command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, stated that the command had not officially received any report of extortion. He assured that the matter would be investigated thoroughly.
“We have not received any formal complaints, but we will look into these allegations,” Abdullahi said. “Senior officers have been deployed to monitor activities at all 47 checkpoints in the metropolis, and any officer found guilty will face disciplinary action.”
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The PPRO urged residents to report any misconduct directly to the command, noting that motorcycles seized during curfew hours are not subject to fines and can be reclaimed the following day once owners have satisfactorily cleared themselves.
Abdullahi appealed for public cooperation, stressing that the curfew had already yielded results by significantly reducing night-time crime in the state.
