Security Checkpoints in SE: Isn’t This Intimidation Enough?

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Security Checkpoints in SE: Isn’t This Intimidation Enough?

 

The last time Nigeria fought a war was 54 long years ago. It was a war largely fought in the present Southeast of the country. But a journey through Southeast Zone today, still gives the impression that there is still an ongoing war in the zone.

This is no thanks to the myriads of security checkpoints across the zone. Ordinarily, such checkpoints would not have bothered anyone as their presence ought to reassure the people of their security. But the reverse has been the case as the real reason for such has been for extortion of road users.

For instance, a traveller from Onitsha to Enugu, a distance of just 105 kilometers, will encounter about 28 security checkpoints by various members of the armed forces of the country, plus other agencies set up by the Federal Government.

According to statistics released by a traveler who encountered them, these security checkpoints are encountered every 3.7kms, with the attendant delays. For commercial vehicles, most of them are expected to pay certain amounts in order to be allowed to proceed on their journey.

A breakdown of the security checkpoints from Onitsha to Enugu is as follows:

  1. Awkuzu Junction – Army
  2. Awkuzu Junction – FRSC
  3. Dunukofia LG hqtrs – Police
  4. Enugu Ukwu Junction – Police

5 Amawbia Junction – Police

  1. Unizik Junction – Army
  2. Mopol base Awka Junction – Police
  3. Prince and Princess Hostel front – Army
  4. Amansea Boundary – Police
  5. Ugwuoba Boundary – Police
  6. Ugwuoba Bridge – Police team
  7. Ugwuoba Junction – Army
  8. Ugwuoba Junction – NDLEA
  9. Ugwuoba Junction – FRSC
  10. Ugwuoba Central – Army
  11. Oji River Junction – Army 1
  12. Oji River Junction – Army 2
  13. Ezeagu Express – Army
  14. Near Nkwo Ezeagu – Police
  15. Near tiles factory – Police
  16. Umumba Ndiuno Express – Police 1
  17. Umumba Ndiuno Express – Police 2
  18. Nsude Express (approach to Ninth Mile) – Police
  19. Ngwo Express – Army
  20. Ngwo Express – Anti-Terror Squad
  21. Onyeama Hill (near refuse dump) – Army
  22. Onyeama Hill (near coal mine) – Army
  23. Abakpa Interchange – Police
  24. Abakpa Junction – FRSC

According to my source, the above gives a true meaning of a conquered people and few will not agree more. It is even amazing when the very crime these security personnel are supposed to be preventing happens right close to them.

At the place called Three Corners in Oji River, many people have been kidnapped and still being kidnapped even when the Police and the Army have their checkpoints sandwiching the hot spot.

In the northern part of the country, where insecurity is ravaging the entire populace, such number of checkpoints are not seen. So, what is special about the Southeast Zone if not because they find the people more amenable to offering money in order to avoid their time being wasted.

Thus, these security personnel deliberately apply time wasting methods in order to extort money from travellers. This is unacceptable.

The Governments of the Southeast Zone should look into this embarrassing and vexatious situation on our highways and ensure that these extortions are stopped. We are not unmindful of the precarious security situation in our zone but we insist that security personnel sent here should concentrate on their duty of providing security and not acting as uniformed robbers.

Their extortionist actions are done brazenly and change given to people in a way that suggests that even their hierarchies are aware of what goes on and benefit from it. This is corruption and cannot be condoned.

They should allow the People of the Southeast Zone to breathe. We are in peacetime and even in a war situation, extortions are not allowed. This practice must be stopped.

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