The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has lamented the escalating prevalence of roadblocks and extortion along the roads in the South-East region.
Speaking at the 2024 General Assembly of the Association of Past Presidents General of Anambra State and the Association of Anambra State Town Union in Awka, Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Worldwide), Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, conveyed his dismay over this troubling trend.
Okeke-Ogene criticized the ongoing practice where security personnel, donning various uniforms, persistently establish roadblocks throughout the region, primarily for the purpose of extorting money from motorists rather than enhancing security measures.
He noted a particular instance along the Onitsha to Ekwulobia road, where more than 10 roadblocks were set up solely for extorting varying amounts of money from drivers, depending on the time of day.
He added that the revenue generated from these roadblocks could be substantial enough to fund the construction of a third Niger bridge in the region.
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Furthermore, Okeke-Ogene underscored the historical context by mentioning the founding of ASATU, which arose from the maltreatment endured by the people of the state, including harassment, intimidation, and extortion during the military administration.
He said, “Today, the roadblocks have increased, even to residential areas, and nobody is talking. The level of extortions at these roadblocks is enough to build a third Niger Bridge.
“You can’t imagine how much they make from those roadblocks. And these are done by intimidation, not voluntary. We must continue to fight against it.”