98 Checkpoints Exist In Southeast, Extortion Common

A group under the aegis of Igbo National Council (INC) Worldwide has revealed that about 98 security checkpoints exist in the five states of the Southeast region.

It also lamented what it described as incessant harassment and extortion from citizens and motorists by the security personnel manning the checkpoints.

In a press statement issued by its National Coordinator, Chilos Godsent, he revealed that Abia State topped the list with 37 checkpoints followed by Imo State with 23 checkpoints.

It further revealed that Anambra and Enugu have 15 checkpoints each, as Ebonyi came behind with 8 checkpoints.

The press statement said that the research was carried out by the directorate of human rights protection, a research department of the council with the mandate of checking human rights violations by various security outfits in the region.

It further stated that the council was propelled to embark on the task following a series of reports from members of the public on the humiliations they were encountering in the hands of the security personnel on a daily basis.

Godsent further stated in the press statement that some of the checkpoints are manned by a joint task force, comprising the military, police and civil defense, while at some blockades it will be either the military or the police.

He stated that even though the group was not happy with the rate of insecurity in the region, the security operatives should carry out their operations with human face.

The group pointed out that if the security personnel kept to rules of their professional engagement, it would build a healthy relationship between them and the civilians who also have responsibility of helping the security outfits in the fight against criminalities.

But the group, however, regretted that the checkpoints and outposts have allegedly turned to illegal toll gates and humiliation points against civilians who are the road users.