The National Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has called on the Federal Government to withdraw soldiers deployed across the numerous checkpoints in the South East region, citing their failure to protect citizens and increasing instances of extortion and harassment.
In a statement released in Enugu, the IWA expressed deep concern over the soldiers’ focus on extorting money from motorists and harassing commuters rather than ensuring the security of the region.
The group noted that commuters, including the sick and elderly, are often forced to disembark from vehicles and walk through checkpoints before rejoining their transport, a practice they described as humiliating and targeted specifically at the Igbo people.
Lolo Nneka Chimezie, President of IWA, criticized the soldiers for abandoning their primary mission of tackling insecurity and instead engaging in actions that humiliate and endanger the local population.
She highlighted that kidnappers often operate near these checkpoints without being apprehended, further undermining public trust in the security forces.
The women’s group demanded that the Federal Government withdraw the soldiers and allow the police, who they believe are more approachable, to take over the responsibility of protecting the region.
“Since they have failed to secure the people they were asked to protect, we demand that the Federal Government withdraws them immediately, police should be encouraged to protect the people as they are more approachable than soldiers who are always harsh on the people, irrespective of age,” the group stated.
The IWA also condemned the ongoing anti-Igbo campaign in Lagos, questioning why those responsible for ethnic hate speech and attacks against the Igbo community have not been arrested.
The group expressed deep sorrow over the continued mistreatment of the Igbo people in Nigeria and called for immediate action to address these injustices.
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