The Benue State Government has dismantled several illegal roadblocks and unauthorised checkpoints along the Vandeikiya-Konshisha road as part of efforts to curb extortion and improve security.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Makurdi on Thursday after an inspection tour of Konshisha.

Har said the operation uncovered more than 20 checkpoints along the route, but only three were found to be legitimate and operated by the Nigeria Police Force and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards.

According to him, the remaining checkpoints had been illegally set up by youth groups and individuals posing as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) or untrained members of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards to extort motorists and traders.

He described the illegal roadblocks as an unnecessary burden on commuters, noting that road users were forced to part with money while also enduring delays during their journeys.

Har said residents and commuters expressed relief over the removal of the illegal checkpoints and urged members of the public to report any cases of extortion or unauthorised roadblocks to the appropriate authorities.