The Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET), has disagreed with Gov. Chukwuma Soludo over his insistence to keep and increase the number of military and Police checkpoints in the state.
Soludo, in a stateside broadcast, passed a vote of confidence on the military checkpoints on roads in Anambra, saying they had helped to improve the security situation in the state.
The governor’s endorsement came on the heels of a public outcry which said the military were causing hardship on motorists by blocking roads, thereby causing avoidable gridlock and using same to extort road users.
“I want to commend all the armed forces who put their lives on the line to have our people sleep with their two eyes closed. We will continue to strengthen them and make them even stronger to keep our people safe and secure,” Soludo said.
But, ACSONET, in a statement signed by Mr Chris Azor, the leader of the group, said there was the need for a more scientific approach towards solving the security challenges in the state as the roadblock system had become archaic and counter productive.
The group said the continued imposition of roadblocks would amount to an extension of ‘ongoing mindless extortion of citizens, undemocratic and counterproductive’.
“Acts by a handful of deviants cannot define who we are as hardworking and patriotic citizens.
“The Governor and his aides should evolve a more scientific, innovative and technology-based approach to tackling the challenges of insecurity in the State.
“This would be simply an extension of people’s suffering and hardship, the security forces have been taking advantage of the roadblocks to extort, intimidate and molest citizens,” it stated.
Azor said the government and military should not push people to the point of expressing their frustrations in the way of riot or another EndSARS.
“They should not push the people into untold hardship, poverty and unproductivity, it is absolutely unacceptable.
“We don’t seem to have learnt any lessons from EndSARS protests, the recent tragedy of Christmas day senseless killing of a female Lawyer as a result of these roadblocks is still fresh in our minds,” he stated..
ACSONET, however, commended Soludo for his giant strides in security and infrastructure. (NAN)
