Extortion: Rights Activist Calls On Gov. Oborevwori To Regulate Activities Of DESTMA

By Daniel Dafe

Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator,
Initiative For Social Rights Concerns
And Advancement (ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace,” has said that “it has become imperative for the Delta State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevworiri, to address concerns regarding the challenges faced by motorists using state roads, where the task force under the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) allegedly extorts violators of suspected traffic rules, collecting substantial amounts as fines.”

He said this in a statement on Thursday.

Adding: “While it has been the poor habits of private and public motorists, violating regulations on traffic rules, which I condemn, where certain penalties have been imposed on offenders. The DESTMA operatives allegedly take it as a means to extort and exploit unsuspecting members of the public, impounding their vehicles, demanding outrageous fines from suspected offenders.”

He continued: “Interestingly, DESTMA officials have assumed many responsibilities of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), a constituted agency tasked with ensuring road safety through regulation, enforcement, and coordination of all road traffic and safety management activities. Surprisingly, DESTMA allegedly now issues citations to motorists for offenses such as failure to wear seatbelts, driving without a valid driver’s license, or having expired vehicle particulars, which raises questions about the distinctions between the FRSC, Police traffic unit, and DESTMA.

“I’m concerned about two incidents involving suspected traffic offenders. A tricycle owner was asked to pay N200,000 after his vehicle was impounded last year December 2024 until January 2025, when my attention was drown to the matterr, while a driver, who was rushing his sick child to the hospital, was stopped for a minor traffic violation encroaching on the traffic line. DESTMA operatives showed a lack of professionalism by towing his vehicle with the wife and infant inside. The driver was fined N20,000 for not wearing a seatbelt additional fees for utilizing the towing van, police involvement totaling over N120,000. A simple warning could have resolved the situation, taking into account the distressing circumstances involving their child’s health.”

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According to him, “notwithstanding, the Delta State Government should insist on accountability, cautioning the Chairman of the board, reviewing their activities to ensure alignment with stated objectives, publishing the various offenses and corresponding fines to be imposed on offenders to the notice of residents in Delta State.”

“The populace cannot cope with the current economic situation and disorganized policies that seem to thwart their very existence,” he concluded.