From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition has commenced a probe of the multiplicity of security checkpoints across the South East geopolitical zones and humiliation of commuters at the various checkpoints.
Consequently, the committee has invited the Igbo National Council (INC) and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa to appear before it tomorrow over a petition by the former over alleged extortion and humiliation of travellers at the various checkpoints in the South East.
The invitation to the parties signed by the chairman of the committee, Mike Etaba, requested them to submit copies of their brief to the committee, in respect to the petition entitled “Petition against the unlawful extortion of motorists and wanton humiliation of civilian passengers and road users by security operatives serving in some joint task force/military checkpoints and outpost in South East Region of Nigeria’ has the CDS as respondent.
There has been repeated outcry against the multiplicity of security checkpoints in the South East and alleged extortion of motorists and humiliation of travellers at various checkpoints in the zone, with Igbo groups including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), Igbo Lawyers Association (ILA) and Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) calling for their dismantling.
During President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Enugu State recently, leaders also appealed to him to direct the relevant security agencies to dismantle the numerous checkpoints, stating that they are counter productive.
Also, last December, the House of Representatives adopted a motion calling on security agencies to reduce the number of checkpoints in the South East.
The House had noted that “the current approach to security, which involves increasing excessive checkpoints, is detrimental to the region’s economic stability and it is counterproductive. There is a need to advocate for modern, efficient security methods that do not cause hardship or violate constitutional rights of Nigerians.
“The mounting of numerous checkpoints along the expressway violates Nigerian citizens’ constitutional rights to free movement as enshrined in Section 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and directly affronts the dignity of the people, especially in the South-East.
“These Security checkpoints are perceived as tools for harassment, with citizens often forced to pay bribes, negatively impacting socio-economic life by increasing transportation costs, causing delays, and discouraging economic activities.”