Bo Bike Riders Raise Alarm Over Alleged Extortion, Arrests by Plainclothes Officers
Sahid Bangura Commercial motorbike riders in Bo have called on the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to investigate allegations of extortion, arbitrary arrests and harassment by police officers operating in plain clothes.
The riders made the call during an engagement with Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Ibrahim Joseph Lahai, where they raised concerns about the conduct of some officers involved in checking riders and enforcing traffic regulations.
A major concern raised by the riders was the lack of clarity over which police department is officially mandated to inspect their licences and other required documents.
They alleged that officers from the Operational Support Division (OSD) are also conducting traffic-related checks, leaving riders uncertain about the authority of officers carrying out such operations.
The riders called for greater clarity and consistency in the enforcement of traffic regulations, particularly where officers conduct checks while dressed in plain clothes.
Beyond police-related concerns, the riders also raised questions about the management of their union. They alleged that union executives have not provided sufficient accountability and transparency regarding revenue generated from daily tickets paid by commercial riders.
They further complained that their welfare has not received adequate attention despite the regular income generated from the ticketing system.
The riders also expressed concern over an increase in the daily ticket fee from NLe2 to NLe5. They said the increase was placing additional financial pressure on riders already facing high operating costs, particularly fuel expenses.
Some riders told AIG Lahai that they do not own the motorcycles they operate and are required to make daily payments to motorcycle owners in addition to meeting their personal and other operational expenses.
After hearing the concerns, AIG Lahai reportedly assured the riders that complaints involving police officers would be investigated and that appropriate action would be taken if wrongdoing was established.
He also said he would convene an emergency meeting with the union’s executive to address the concerns raised by the riders and seek ways to resolve the issues surrounding the union’s operations.
The engagement highlighted growing calls among commercial motorbike riders in Bo for clearer enforcement procedures, accountability within their union and stronger protection against alleged misconduct during police operations.