Igbo Council decries alleged extortion of travelers at 98 military check points in South East

Igbo Council decries alleged extortion and humiliation of travelers at 98 military check points in South East Nigeria.

The Igbo National Council (INC) Worldwide protested that security operatives serving in some of the under listed JTF / Military Checkpoints /Outposts in the five states of the South East Region of Nigeria has turned these checkpoints and outposts into illegal tollgates and humiliation points against civilian road users.

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According to the Council, “the worst of it is that they carry out these acts with impunity believing that the law cannot catch up with them.

“This act of intimidation and extortion of commercial bus and lorry drivers and the humiliation of civilian passengers on these checkpoints is alarming, embarrassing and unacceptable to the Laws and people of South East Region of Nigeria.”

The group alleged that in some of the Joint Taskforce / Military Checkpoints civilian passengers are asked to come down from their vehicles and trek a distance to cross the checkpoint before re-entering their vehicles to continue their journey.

“This humiliation of Nigeria citizens is carried out not minding if it was raining or scorching. In some of these checkpoints they go a long way to order civilian passengers to raise their two hands while trekking to cross the checkpoint which is sign of surrender, while motorcyclists are ordered to roll their motorcycle to cross the checkpoint.

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“Another unlawful and unacceptable act by these security operatives is the arbitrary search of some passengers’ phone ‘Mostly Youths’ without search warrant, even when these persons are not under arrest,” the Council lamented.

The group argued that the actions contravene Section 34, and Section 217(2)(C) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended 2018.

The Igbo National Council (INC) Worldwide, therefore, requested the Nigeria Defence Headquarters to set-up a Taskforce or Monitoring Team to investigate and monitor the activities of the various Joint Taskforce / Military Checkpoints and Outposts located in South East Region of Nigeria.

The group also requested the arrest and prosecution of any Security Operatives at Joint Taskforce / Military Checkpoints caught violating the Fundamental Human Rights of Citizens or found forcefully extorting money from commercial bus and lorry drivers.

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It also requested that Security Operatives serving at Joint Taskforce / Military Checkpoint or Outposts in South East Region focus more on intelligence gathering, surveillance and tactical operations in other to combat criminalities and provide effective security for the protection of lives and properties of the people in that locality more especially now there is increasing activities of banditry and kidnappings in the region.

It requested the STOP of the extortion of commercial bus drivers, the humiliation of civilian passengers and searching of road users’ phones without search warrant at some of these Joint Taskforce / Military Checkpoints in South East Region of Nigeria.

The Council noted that South East Region of Nigeria is not a conquered territory and is not at war with the Nigerian State and, therefore, should not be subjected to any form of inhumane treatment or humiliation by the Nigeria Military or Joint Taskforce.

The Council pledge the unalloyed support to the Nigerian Military that are committed and dedicated to their expedition to combat criminalities and provide effective security for the protection of lives, properties and livelihood of the people and residence of South East Region of Nigeria.

The Council identified the Joint Task force / Military Checkpoints and Outposts i in its mapping exercise, as follows:

*ABIA STATE*

1. Nunya junction along Okigwe-Umuahia express road, Isuikwuato LGA Abia State

2. Beside ABSU gate Uturu, Isuikwuato LGA Abia State

3. Umuikkaa Junction along Aba-Enugu Expressway Ishiala Ngwa South LGA Abia State

4. Imo River Bridge, Owerrinta along Aba-Owerri Road Ishiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia State

5. Tonimas Junction behind BICOZ Fast Food along Aba-Enugu Expressway Osisioma LGA, Abia State

6. Army Check Point, adjacent to the House of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of FHR, along Umuahia – Ohafia – Bende Road, Ohafia LGA, Abia State

7. JTF Check Point at Isugwu Junction, Akanu, Ohafia LGA, Abia State

8. Army Checking Point at Front of Ohafia Local Government Council Headquarters, Ohafia LGA, Abia State

9. Army Checking Point beside the gate of Ohafia Federal Government College, Ohafia LGA, Abia State

10. Army Check Point at Iyi Omenuko Bridge, Ozu Abam, Arochukwu LGA, Abia State

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11. Military Check Point at Imo – Rivers Boundary, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

12. Military Check Point by China Civil Construction Company (CCCC) gate along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

13. Military Check Point at Oil Serve Junction along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

14. Military Check Point by Primemoore Filling Station along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

15. Military Check Point at Imo Gate Flyover by Old Obigbo Road, Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

16. Military Check Point by Chippings Dump along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

17. Military Check Point opposite Coral Gold Filling Station along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

18. Military Check Point by China Steel Company Gate along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

19. Military Check Point by 144 Battalion Nigerian Army, at former Asa High School Junction along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

20. Military Check Point by Nwaiyiekwe Junction along, Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State

21. Military Check Point by Ihe Junction along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ugwunagbo LGA, Abia State

22. Military Check Point at the Front of EEDC Gate along Port – Aba Harcourt Expressway Ugwunagbo LGA, Abia State

23. Military Check Point at Alaoji Motor Spare Parts Market, Asa Nnentu, along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ugwunagbo LGA Abia State
24. Military Check Point at Uratta Building Materials/ Onion Market along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Ugwunagbo LGA, Abia State

25. JTF Check Point by Faulks Road/ Ariara Junction along Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, Osisioma LGA, Abia State

26. Military Base at Ariam Usaka, Ikwuano LGA, Abia State

27. JTF Check Point Ahia-Ohuru Aba South LGA, Abia State

28. JTF Check Point Ngwa Road by Cemetery, Abia South LGA, Abia State

29. JTF Check Point Emelogu junction Ogbor Hill, Aba South LGA, Abia State

30. JTF Check Point Obikabo Junction Ogbor Hill, Aba South LGA, Abia State

31. JTF Check Point Opopo Junction Ogbor Hill, Aba South LGA, Abia State

32. Military Checkpoint at Uzuakoli by Ozuitem Road Junction, Bende LGA, Abia State

33. Military Checkpoint at Urban Market along Umuahia – Uzuakoli Road, Bende LGA, Abia State

34. Military Checkpoint at Ntigh Junction along Port Harcourt – Enugu Expressway, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State

35. Military Checkpoint at Arongwa Junction along Port Harcourt – Enugu Expressway, Osisioma LGA, Abia State

36. Military Checkpoint at Ihieoji, along Port Harcourt – Enugu Expressway Road, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State

37. Military checkpoint at Itungwa Ururuka Road, Obingwa LGA, Abia State

*ANAMBRA STATE*

1. Front of Abbott Boys Secondary School, along Owerri – Onitsha Expressway, Ihiala LGA, Anambra State

2. Amansea/Ugwuoba Enugu -Onitsha old Road, Awka South LGA, Anambra State

3. Better Life Junction along Enugu -Okigwe Expressway, Abia State

4. Eluama – Isiukwuano beside Common Wealth Hotels Isiukwuano LGA, Abia State

5. Ohafia/ Nguzu Junction, Abriba – Ohafia Road, Ohafia LGA, Abia State.

6. JTF Check Point at Idima Abam Road, Arochukwu LGA, Abia State

7. Army Check Point opposite Primary School by St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Uli, Ihiala LGA, Anambra State

8. Naval Check Point at Awkuzu Junction along Awka – Onitsha Road Expressway, Anambra State

9. Army Check Point by ICC Awka, along Amansea, old Awka Road, Awka South LGA, Anambra State

10. JTF Military Check Point at Ekwulobia – Isufia Road, Aguata LGA, Anambra State

11. Oko – Umunze Road, Orumba North LGA, Anambra State

12. Nanka – Agulu Road by Rock Tamar Junction, Nanka, Orumba North LGA, Anambra State

13. Opposite Aguata Local Government Council Headquarters, Ekwulobia – Aguluezechukwu Road, Aguata LGA, Anambra State

14. Military Check Point Onusorogu Junction Amichi Nnewi along Oba-Nnewi-Amichi- Okigwe Road Nnewi South LGA, Anambra State

15. Military Checkpoint at Uga Junction Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State

*EBONYI STATE*

1. Acha junction, along Mile 2 and before mile 2 junction Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State.

2. Ishieke junction, Abakaliki – Enugu Expressway,, Ebonyi State

3. Onu Ebonyi River, Ogoja Road, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State

4. Ikwo junction, Nkwagu, Abakaliki – Afikpo Road Ebonyi State

5. Military Checkpoint at Ebonyi / Enugu Boundary Ebonyi State

6. Military Checkpoint at Afikpo road junction Isiagu, Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State

7. Military Checkpoint at Abakaliki – Ogoja Road, Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State

8. Military Checkpoint at Afikpo Timber Market junction, Afikpo – Okigwe Road, Afikpo North LGA Ebonyi State

*ENUGU STATE*

1. Three Corner Junction, Amagunze, Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State

2. New Kenyetta along Enugu – Okigwe Expressway Ugwuaji LGA Enugu State

3. Ituku Military Check Point along Enugu -Okigwe Expressway, Ituku Isuawa, Agwu LGA, Enugu State

4. Otu Amechi Agbani Link Road, Enugu South LGA, Enugu State

5. Umuogba Ihe along Enugu – Okigwe Expressway, Agwu LGA, Enugu State

6. Nnenwe Junction along Enugu – Okigwe Expressway, Agwu LGA, Enugu State

7. Agwu Mgbowo Aki na Ukwa Junction along Enugu -Okigwe Expressway, Agwu LGA, Enugu State

8. Military Checkpoint at Abia // Enugu Boundary, along Enugu – Okigwe Expressway

9. Army Check Point Udi, Four Corner, Nkanu East LGA Enugu State

10. Army Check Point Amodu, Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State

11. Military Checkpoint at Ugwuonyeama, Enugu North LGA, Enugu State

12. Air Force Checkpoint by NAF Base along Trans-Ekulu, Enugu East LGA, Enugu State

13. Military Check Point in front of Peace University, along Enugu – Opi Road, Igbo-Etiti LGA, Enugu State

14. Military Check Point Iheaka, along Enugu – Makurdi Road, Igbo – Eze LGA, Enugu State

15. Army checkpoint, 17th Mile junction, Mbulu Owo, Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State

*IMO STATE*

1. PDS Anara – Amaraku Road in Isiala Mbano LGA Imo State

2. Akachi Junction, Aba – Owerri Expressway, Naze, Owerri North LGA Imo State

3. Umuowa by Imo Airport Junction, Aba – Owerri Expressway, Umuowa, Ngor-Okpala LGA Imo State

4. Ugwu Orji along Owerri – Onitsha Expressway, by Umunoha junction, Mbaitoli LGA Imo State

5. Ogii-Isiokwe along Okigwe/Umuahia express road, Okigwe LGA. Imo State

6. Umualumoke junction, Ugwuaku Road, along Okigwe-Umuahia express road, Okigwe LGA. Imo State

7. Ubahu, opp. Camp Faith Ubahu, Okigwe LGA, Imo State

8. Okigwe-Uturu junction, along ABSU road, Okigwe LGA Imo State

9. Amawel junction, Ubomini Town along Owerri – Orlu Road Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State

10. Opposite Nkwerre Local Government Council Headquarters, Nkwerre LGA Imo State

11. Front of Ehime Mbano Local Government Council Headquarters along Aba Branch – Umuahia Road, Umuezeala, Ehime Mbano LGA Imo State

12. Military Check Point adjacent to Timber Market, along Orlu – Owerri Road, Orlu LGA, Imo State

13. Ekeahiara Junction, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Imo State

14. Umulolo junction along Port Harcourt – Enugu Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State

15. Ihube Junction along Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State

16. Ihube Cashew Plantation, along Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State

17. Ihube/Isuochi Boundary along, Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State

18. Limca Junction by FGC, along Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State

19. Military Check Point Unuapu, along Owerri – Port Harcourt Expressway, Ohaji Egemba LGA, Imo State

20. Military Check Point Mgbirichi – Obinze Boundary, along Owerri – Port Harcourt Expressway, Ohaji Egemba LGA, Imo State

21. Army Check Point by Umuokanne Junction, along Owerri – Port Harcourt Expressway Owerri West LGA, Imo State

22. Army Check Point opposite Emmanuel Anglican Church Mgbidi, along Owerri – Onitsha Expressway, Oru West LGA, Imo State

23. Military Checkpoint Egbema Production Center (NPDC) Egbema, Ohaji-Egbena LGA, Imo State