Some heavy-duty truck drivers in Ndu, Donga Mantung division of the North West region have stopped work in protest over what they say is persistent extortion by uniformed officers.
The sit-down strike action started April 8. At least 15 of the drivers parked their trucks at a security checkpoint in Ndu to pass across their message.
Reports say truck drivers had before now repeatedly complained of extortion by uniformed officers. Competent state authorities are said to have turned a blind eye to their cry.
According to one of the drivers, every truck carrying goods “… pays 15000 FCFA to the gendarmes,10,000FCFA to the police,5000 FCFA to the soldiers and 5000 FCFA to road safety officials. we have pleaded with them to no avail to reduce the money”.
The same driver said the situation at the Ndu Gendarmerie Brigard check point is worst.
MMI further gathered on good authority that even empty trucks are forced to pay the same amounts to and fro.
Extortion on the highway by Uniformed officers has gained grounds in recent years across Cameroon.The situation is further compounded by the separatists armed conflict in English-speaking North West and South West regions.
Securiry check points many are now saying, have been transformed into money collection centers with road users paying huge sums irrespective of the state of car documents
