By Passman Akpos
Basically the reason why the Nigeria police force was established is to seriously holds a pivotal role in upholding law and order throughout Nigeria. the Force was Mandated by the Nigerian Constitution, and governed by a plethora of statutes and regulations, its shoulders a diverse array of duties aimed at safeguarding the safety and security of the Nigerian populace.
The Nigerian police force was established to play the following key role as her basic functions;
(1) Maintenance of Law and Order
(2) Protection of Life and Property
(3) Prevention and Investigation of Crimes
(4) Traffic Management and Enforcement
(5) Maintenance of Public Order and Safety
(6) Protection of Human Rights
(7) Collaboration with Other Law Enforcement Agencies:
(8)Community Policing and Engagement:
(9)Specialized Units and Services:
(10)Training and Capacity Building:
In my investigation, and I stand to be corrected, I never saw in any of the above functions in which the Nigeria police force should be an agent or an arm of government for the purpose of revenue creation.
On the 22nd of June, I was coming from Delta State with a friend, we actually went for an official meeting from Bayelsa state, so he carried his car, well documented vehicle, all the papers were complete and up to date.
On our way back to Bayelsa state we were stopped by Officers of The Nigeria Police Force, along the Patani axis of Delta state.
The police officer on duty, demanded for his particulars and with confidence he gave the police man his car papers, I was sited at the front of the vehicle waiting for my friend to return so we proceed with our journey, I waited for a very long time but he was not forth coming.
I stepped out of the vehicle because it has taken a very long time, so, I went to observe what was going on, and the Police officer was vibrating, threatening my friend that he will pack the vehicle in the checkpoint.
I now called my friend and asked him, “please what is the issue, because you told me all your papers were complete, what is actually the problem?”
“The police man is asking me for a particular document….” he said, with stress on his face.
“Documents! Apart from the ones you told me, you have?” I asked, and he said yes.
meanwhile he doesn’t even know the documents the police man was demanding, because that’s was the first time he hears such documents exist.
I now approached the police to confirm what was the issue and the reason why the officer is delaying our journey.
with disdainfulness he noted, “you people documents are not complete”….”what particular document is not complete?”
” The CMR,” “CM what?” “CMR, Central Motor Registry” He noted.
“This ona motor nor go, go anywhere, except you people bring that document” he demanded.
With all humility and sincerity, as a journalist, that was the first time I heard such documents exist.
I now approached the policeman to beg, “please sir, pardon us, I never knew such a documents exist, this is the first time am hearing it, please pardon us, and show us how we can get the documents”
After long beg with two thousand naira bribe, he agreed to let us go and gave us the description on how to get the said document.
The police officer gave me the website to apply for the CMR, so I asked my friend to relax that I will personally apply for it and find out what is it about.
So as I got home I located the website, https://cmris.npf.gov.ng/ immediately you open it, you will see;
“Welcome to the Central Motor Registry Information System (CMRIS)
This application is to enable motor vehicle owners seamlessly apply for Nigeria Police Central Motor Registry information about vehicle ownership and other details that will be useful in the investigation of motor vehicle theft and recovery and for enhancing national security”
I did the registration by following through the processes, but I have to pay five thousand three hundred and seventy five naira to obtain the certificate that will be sent to me through the email I used in applying.
Few ours later they sent the certificate, indicating that is renewable every one year, it means vehicle owners are to pay that amount or more every year to obtain the certificate.
One question, that will come to mind is; what exactly is the money meant for, who is in charge of that money, the money was actually collected through a central processing system see the sample of payment here
If you calculate Ten thousand vehicles to that figure, what amount will it give you.
The police becoming an agent of revenue generation is not a problem, but let it not be that is another avenue to extort Nigerian, adding to the pain the citizens are already experiencing.
Why is it that every policy of the government, is Nigerian that will end up paying for it, under this situation of economic hardship, increasing inflation on daily bases.
Yes somebody will say five thousand is not big, but do you know in this country, people find it difficult just to eat one square meal.
If the police must take, over five thousand naira for a paper, they had better make sure, the Nigerian roads are safe for road users.
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