Group protests return of roadblocks in Onitsha

Ahuman rights group, Campaign for Democracy, has expressed worry over indiscriminate setting of roadblocks in Onitsha, Anambra State, calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to order their immediate dismantling.

The group said the roadblocks were not only hindering free movement of people, but also creating panic and partially grounding business activities in the commercial city and its environs.

Speaking to newsmen in Onitsha at the weekend, the body’s Chairman in the South East zone, Uzor A. Uzor, said they were giving the IGP three days within which to dismantle the road blocks.

He said the organisation was also protesting illegal extortion of motorists by members of the force.

“We want to say that after this 3- day ultimatum, we will embark on a series of protests to register our position on the matter,” Uzor added.

A social critic, Prince Ezenwa who said one could see not less than 11 road blocks while travelling from Onitsha to Oba, a distance of not more than 15 kilometres, alleged that it might be a plan to reintroduce illegal toll collection in the Southeast.

“The gubernatorial election which led to the setting up of road blocks has come and gone with the state not experiencing any violent crimes to warrant these problems,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman, Ogirisi Igbo Foundation, Dr Linus Uche, alleged that it was a calculated attempt to extort road users during the yuletide.

“The police collect a lot of money from motorists and other road users, ranging from N100 to N500,” he said.