Anambra commissioner runs over soldiers for extortion at checkpoints

Anambra State Information Commissioner Paul Nwosu has attacked the military by setting up checkpoints across the state.

Nwosu accused them of using the checkpoints to extort and harass motorists instead of going after criminals terrorizing the state.

In a statement obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, Nwosu said: “It is a tragedy that military-run checkpoints on literally every highway in the state have precipitated punitive traffic jams where the mass of Christmas vacationers are… stuck for many hours. , an experience that the Anambra State Government had worked hard to avoid in this period.

“The recent practical experience of Anambra State Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, in courageously confronting soldiers on the edge of Amansea State is of great concern.

“It seems that these military manning the checkpoints have turned these places into toll booths this season, thus causing traffic jams and frustrating the government’s efforts to ensure the free flow of traffic.

“The Amansea case is particularly instructive because the lieutenant governor had warned military personnel earlier in the day to allow traffic to move freely, but they immediately left and they resumed unsanitary control.

“The sad thing is that the military is obviously not apprehending the thugs who are harassing the state. So what’s the use of blocking roads right now when there’s no particular information to track impending crime or fleeing criminals?

“This leaves one with one conclusion: that the long traffic jams are orchestrated just to extort money from drivers and motorists.

“This pernicious attitude towards traffic management by our military is reprehensible. The security of the state must not be compromised on the altar of making indecent profits by men who are meant to protect the people.

“Military subordination to civil authority must be emphasized immediately and going forward.”