1. PMF & Federal highway patrol on our highways, this is their modus operandi: they arange themselves in a zigzag formation; first in the line is likely a constable holding a baton. Few steps from him to his right or left will be a corporal/sergeant armed with an AK47. Few steps

2. further you will see another most likely an inspector (gazetted). Off the road most likely under tree is their operational vehicle, a driver & their SPO an ASP will be inside. They maintain this zigzag formation on both inbound & outbound of the highway. The

3. constable with the baton profiles vehicles & flags them down. The corporal/sergeant behind him guides the vehicle to where he wants it to park. Then the inspector walks up to weigh the 'client' & decide how to proceed. They look at your vehicle & sense you are law enforcement

4. well connected, he simply says carry on. If you look funky, or give off signs of irritation or fear, you will hear 'your vehicle particulars, open your boot, where your fire extinguisher, where your birth certificate, open your engine, why doesn't the engine number march with

5. your date of birth etc...once they find something they can pin on you, they take your car keys & papers from you. That's when negotiations begin. Once you have paid & allowed to go, he checks his pockets. If it's filled, he leaves the spot & likely the driver fills in for him

6. There is always a place in a bush nearby or abandoned building where they stash their loot. They never allow so much money on their person for fear of a big man or X-Squad busting them. For commerical vehicles, they have stipulated amounts they take from them. The only time

7. they start checking particulars of a commercial vehicle is when the driver proves to be stubborn. There are private cars they stop & the occupants refuse to pay a dime especially when their papers are complete. They can keep you waiting for hours simply because there's an

8. omission of a letter or word in your documents. If you meet the real evil ones, while searching your boot they plant contraband like drugs or even live ammunition. They allow you go only to call the checkpoints in front to look out for you. Another 'client' they love are

9. Truckers especially the ones carrying fuel & perishables. Some can even close the checkpoints once they sight a truck carrying fuel, they must extort a driver carrying petroleum products! If you are carrying broiler or day old chicks, they know you are in a hurry cos you dont

10. Want the birds to die due to heat. If you don't settle, be ready to watch those birds die! The atrocities by members of @PoliceNG are too many to recount! Ending SARS alone won't change much! @NGRPresident @MBuhari @ProfOsinbajo needs to push for a total reform.