Going against all that the JTF is suppose to stand for which was suppose to be the protection of citizens, the displacement of terrorist and the return of sanity to the troubled parts of the north, we are now getting disturbing News from residences and business owners that members of the JTF have started extorting huge sums of money from them on a daily basis. Transporters and traders in Yobe State lamented over the extortion by military personnel attached to the Joint Task Force, JTF, at check points in Damaturu.
An example is Buba Umar, a trader that normally transports his wares from Kano to Maiduguri, in an interview with reporters, Monday alleged that they spend up to N20,000 to bribe the JTF on every trip at more than 50 check points, saying the amount is outrageous.
He said: “Prices of foodstuff in the market have risen as a result of the extra expenses we incur, like the bribe we give to JTF and the hours we spend on the road.
“Some of these good are perishable, we have to deliver on time, but due to these numerous check points, they usually get spoiled. Many suppliers from Kano axis have stopped supplying food items to Damaturu because of this and it makes the prices of goods to go up.”
Another transporter said they spent hours on the long queue that stretches up to three kilometres at times, and the JTF are not helping matters.
The longer this campaign lasts, the more likely it is that members of the task force would lose focus and start engaging in activities that are highly unbefitting of them.