INC Calls on CDS to Stop the Unlawful Extortion of Motorists and Wanton Humiliation of Civilian Passengers and Road Users in South East Region

Press Statement

Open Letter to Chief of Defense Staff (CDS)
Defense Headquarters
Mohammadu Buhari Way
Garki, FCT Abuja
Nigeria

29th July, 2024

Sir,

RE: PETITION AGAINST THE UNLAWFUL EXTORTION OF MOTORISTS AND WANTON HUMILIATION OF CIVILIAN PASSENGERS AND ROAD USERS BY SECURITY OPERATIVES SERVING IN SOME JOINT TASKFORCE / MILITARY CHECKPOINTS AND OUTPOSTS IN SOUTH EAST REGION OF NIGERIA

The Igbo National Council (INC) Worldwide is the vanguard grass root mass based membership organization of the Igbo Race and Igbo Nation committed to the defense and protection of the Fundamental Human Rights of Citizens. INC was established in Nigeria since 2012.

With all sense of dismay and pains in our heart, we are compelled to bring to your knowledge the ongoing unconstitutional and unacceptable acts by Security Operatives serving in some of the Joint Taskforce / Military Checkpoints / Outposts in the five states of South East Region of Nigeria.

By the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Act Establishing the Armed Forces and other Security Agencies of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we understand that the primary role of the Joint Taskforce / Military Checkpoints / Outposts wherever they are located in Nigeria is to provide security for the protection of lives, properties and livelihood of the people inhabiting that communities and localities including the maintenance of law and order.

Contrary to the above, 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. 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. In some of these 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. 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.

In view of the above, we wish to state, that this actions contravenes Section 34, and Section 217(2)(C) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended 2018.

Our Observation
From our study, we discovered that many citizens and community persons inhabiting these localities find it very difficult to properly relate and share vital intelligence with these security operatives, which could have helped them discharge their duties effectively on the fight against bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminal elements terrorizing those localities. The reason is that people feel that the conducts of these military personnel is repressive and unfriendly to the civilian folks. Another observation is that they seem to concentrate more on collecting money from some commercial motorists rather than concentrating on surveillance and provision of adequate security for road users.

Our Request
We request that the Nigeria Defence Headquarters 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.

We request for 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.

We request 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.

We request 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.

We are aware 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.

Finally, we pledge our unalloyed support to the Nigerian Military that 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.

Find attached are the list of the Joint Taskforce / Military Checkpoints and Outposts that we have been able to identify in our mapping exercise.

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
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
38. Front of Abbott Boys Secondary School, along Owerri – Onitsha Expressway, Ihiala LGA, Anambra State
39. Amansea/Ugwuoba Enugu -Onitsha old Road, Awka South LGA, Anambra State
40. Better Life Junction along Enugu -Okigwe Expressway, Abia State
41. Eluama – Isiukwuano beside Common Wealth Hotels Isiukwuano LGA, Abia State
42. Ohafia/ Nguzu Junction, Abriba – Ohafia Road, Ohafia LGA, Abia State.
43. JTF Check Point at Idima Abam Road, Arochukwu LGA, Abia State
44. Army Check Point opposite Primary School by St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Uli, Ihiala LGA, Anambra State
45. Naval Check Point at Awkuzu Junction along Awka – Onitsha Road Expressway, Anambra State
46. Army Check Point by ICC Awka, along Amansea, old Awka Road, Awka South LGA, Anambra State
47. JTF Military Check Point at Ekwulobia – Isufia Road, Aguata LGA, Anambra State
48. Oko – Umunze Road, Orumba North LGA, Anambra State
49. Nanka – Agulu Road by Rock Tamar Junction, Nanka, Orumba North LGA, Anambra State
50. Opposite Aguata Local Government Council Headquarters, Ekwulobia – Aguluezechukwu Road, Aguata LGA, Anambra State
51. Military Check Point Onusorogu Junction Amichi Nnewi along Oba-Nnewi-Amichi- Okigwe Road Nnewi South LGA, Anambra State
52. Military Checkpoint at Uga Junction Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State EBONYI STATE
53. Acha junction, along Mile 2 and before mile 2 junction Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State.
54. Ishieke junction, Abakaliki – Enugu Expressway,, Ebonyi State
55. Onu Ebonyi River, Ogoja Road, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
56. Ikwo junction, Nkwagu, Abakaliki – Afikpo Road Ebonyi State
57. Military Checkpoint at Ebonyi / Enugu Boundary Ebonyi State
58. Military Checkpoint at Afikpo road junction Isiagu, Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State
59. Military Checkpoint at Abakaliki – Ogoja Road, Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State
60. Military Checkpoin at Afikpo Timber Market junction, Afikpo – Okigwe Road, Afikpo North LGA Ebonyi State ENUGU STATE
61. Three Corner Junction, Amagunze, Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State
62. New Kenyetta along Enugu – Okigwe Expressway Ugwuaji LGA Enugu State
63. Ituku Military Check Point along Enugu -Okigwe Expressway, Ituku Isuawa, Agwu LGA, Enugu State
64. Otu Amechi Agbani Link Road, Enugu South LGA, Enugu State
65. Umuogba Ihe along Enugu – Okigwe Expressway, Agwu LGA, Enugu State
66. Nnenwe Junction along Enugu – Okigwe Expressway, Agwu LGA, Enugu State
67. Agwu Mgbowo Aki na Ukwa Junction along Enugu -Okigwe Expressway, Agwu LGA, Enugu State
68. Military Checkpoint at Abia // Enugu Boundary, along Enugu – Okigwe Expressway
69. Army Check Point Udi, Four Corner, Nkanu East LGA Enugu State
70. Army Check Point Amodu, Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State
71. Military Checkpoint at Ugwuonyeama, Enugu North LGA, Enugu State
72. Air Force Checkpoint by NAF Base along Trans-Ekulu, Enugu East LGA, Enugu State
73. Military Check Point in front of Peace University, along Enugu – Opi Road, Igbo-Etiti LGA, Enugu State
74. Military Check Point Iheaka, along Enugu – Makurdi Road, Igbo – Eze LGA, Enugu State
75. Army checkpoint, 17th Mile junction, Mbulu Owo, Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State IMO STATE
76. PDS Anara – Amaraku Road in Isiala Mbano LGA Imo State
77. Akachi Junction, Aba –  Owerri Expressway, Naze, Owerri North LGA Imo State
78. Umuowa by Imo Airport Junction, Aba – Owerri Expressway, Umuowa, Ngor-Okpala LGA Imo State
79. Ugwu Orji along Owerri – Onitsha Expressway, by Umunoha junction, Mbaitoli LGA Imo State
80. Ogii-Isiokwe along Okigwe/Umuahia express road, Okigwe LGA. Imo State
81. Umualumoke junction, Ugwuaku Road, along Okigwe-Umuahia express road, Okigwe LGA. Imo State
82. Ubahu, opp. Camp Faith Ubahu, Okigwe LGA, Imo State
83. Okigwe-Uturu junction, along ABSU road, Okigwe LGA Imo State
84. Amawel junction, Ubomini Town along Owerri – Orlu Road Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State
85. Opposite Nkwerre Local Government Council Headquarters, Nkwerre LGA Imo State
86. Front of Ehime Mbano Local Government Council Headquarters along Aba Branch – Umuahia Road, Umuezeala, Ehime Mbano LGA Imo State
87. Military Check Point adjacent to Timber Market, along Orlu – Owerri Road, Orlu LGA, Imo State
88. Ekeahiara Junction, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Imo State
89. Umulolo junction along Port Harcourt – Enugu Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State
90. Ihube Junction along Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State
91. Ihube Cashew Plantation, along Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State
92. Ihube/Isuochi Boundary along, Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State
93. Limca Junction by FGC, along Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Okigwe LGA, Imo State
94. Military Check Point Unuapu, along Owerri – Port Harcourt Expressway, Ohaji Egemba LGA, Imo State
95. Military Check Point Mgbirichi – Obinze Boundary, along Owerri – Port Harcourt Expressway, Ohaji Egemba LGA, Imo State
96. Army Check Point by Umuokanne Junction, along Owerri – Port Harcourt Expressway Owerri West LGA, Imo State
97. Army Check Point opposite Emmanuel Anglican Church Mgbidi, along Owerri – Onitsha Expressway, Oru West LGA, Imo State
98. Military Checkpoint Egbema Production Center (NPDC) Egbema, Ohaji-Egbena LGA, Imo State

Sir, We sincerely look forward to your responses to this petition.

Thanks for the anticipated cooperation

Signed

~Chilos Godsent,
President, INC

Cc:
Senate President
Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
National Assemble Complex
Three Arm Zone, FCT Abuja

Rt. Hon. Speaker
Federal House of Representatives
National Assemble Complex
Three Armed Zone, FCT Abuja

National Security Adviser
Three Armed Zone, FCT Abuja

Honorable Minister of Defense
Federal Secretariat, FCT, Abuja

His Excellencies, Governors of South Eastern States

Honorable Speakers of the State House of Assemblies of the South Eastern State