A video recorded by a frustrated Nigerian traveler has gone viral after capturing the alarming density of police checkpoints along the Owerri-Port Harcourt expressway, where security personnel were seen mounting stops at intervals of less than 10 seconds. The footage, shared on Monday, May 20, 2025, has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed conversations about extortion, harassment, and abuse of power by law enforcement.
The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was visibly shocked as he counted no fewer than 18 police checkpoints within a stretch of just a few kilometers. In the now-viral clip, he could be heard exclaiming over the absurd proximity of the checkpoints, some separated by barely 100 meters. “I’ve not even moved ten seconds and here’s another checkpoint,” he said repeatedly, capturing the reality many Nigerians face daily.
Drivers and transporters along the route say the situation is far from new. Several bus drivers confirmed that police officers often mount these closely spaced checkpoints to demand bribes, particularly from commercial vehicles. “If you don’t settle them, they delay you for no reason,” one driver lamented. Others added that security men sometimes resort to threats or vehicle seizure to enforce compliance.
Human rights activists and civil society organizations have condemned the development, calling it both a national embarrassment and a public safety risk. According to Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), the excessive presence of checkpoints not only creates room for corruption but also exposes travelers to arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention.
Attempts to get a response from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) were unsuccessful as of press time. However, a senior officer in Rivers State, speaking anonymously, admitted that such clustering violates operational procedures. “Checkpoints should be strategically placed—not littered like toll gates,” he said, hinting that internal directives may soon be issued to curb the trend.
The stretch between Owerri and Port Harcourt is notorious for aggressive policing, especially near communities like Elele, Omagwa, and Obigbo. Reports dating back to 2021 have documented similar complaints, yet the problem persists. Commuters say what should be a 45-minute drive now takes twice as long due to police-induced traffic.
As public pressure mounts online with hashtags like #TooManyCheckpoints, #PoliceReformNow, and #OwerriToPH, activists are urging the Inspector General of Police to investigate and restructure checkpoint operations nationwide. “This isn’t about security—it’s legalized harassment,” one tweet read, summarizing the anger of a weary nation.
