Group backs Chidoka, vows to mobilize against security checkpoints in S/East

A socio-political youth organization, Ndigbo United Forum (NUF), has backed the position of a member representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency of Anambra State at the House of Representatives, Obinna Chidoka, frowning at the several security checkpoints on the roads from Lagos and Abuja to the southeast.

Recall that the House had last Thursday, urged security agencies to remove the checkpoints to facilitate the free flow of traffic, relieve the pains and hardship of the motorists and other road users travelling to and from the southeast, especially during the festive period.

The House also mandated the Nigeria Police Force and related agencies to immediately disband all checkpoints at the Onitsha head bridge in Anambra State and equally mandated the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to deploy men and materials to ensure free flow of traffic between Asaba and Onitsha.

The resolution came on the heels of a motion titled “Motion for the Disbandment on Multiple Security Checkpoints on Roads Leading to the South East Region” by Chidioka at Thursday plenary.

Backing him, the NUF in a statement by the national youth leader, Mazi Akachukwu Nnaemeka, and forwarded to DAILY POST on Monday, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Akali Baba, to quickly implement the order from the green chamber that instructed all unnecessary police checkpoints from Lagos and Abuja down to the southeast region to be dismantled.

“Given the fact that Hon Chidoka’s motion was adopted, we are eager to see it being implemented. In a democracy, people’s wish, which has legislative backing, must not be trifled with. The masses have spoken, and the people’s parliament gave her nod, nothing should stop the implementation of the people’s desire. Let all police checkpoints leading to the southeast from Abuja and Lagos, be dismantled as we demanded.

“We understand the need for highway security, but even at that, the litany of police checkpoints littering the roads to the southeast region is a far cry from an effective solution,” the statement read.

The group appreciated the efforts of the police in safeguarding roads in the region but warned that it must not be by mounting roadblocks at every pole along our roads.

According to the group, “the extortion, the traffic jams, the road hazards etc. results to far more problems for our people, than the possible security those checkpoints can offer.

“There are other security agencies providing road security. The army is still on with their exercise Golden Dawn, their efforts is enough to effectively secure the roads during the yuletide.

“The extortion, the traffic jams, the road hazards etc. results in far more problems for our people, than the possible security those checkpoints can offer.

“We are watching, and failure to hers the instructions from the house of representatives, we would legitimately mobilize against the Nigeria Police force (NPF) checkpoints littered all over the southeast region.

“It is obvious that the checkpoint madness is on the highest level here in the southeast region. Meanwhile, the southeast region is relatively the most peaceful region. We just can’t understand. Let all the checkpoints be dismantled with immediate effect”.