The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said that the increasing rate of roadblocks and extortions across the roads in the South-East has become a source of worry and concern to the body and everyone in the region.
The Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Worldwide), Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, expressed dismay over the development when he spoke at the 2024 General Assembly of Association of Past Presidents General of Anambra State and Association of Anambra State Town Union in Awka on Friday.
Okeke-Ogene lamented that security operatives, in various security uniforms, had continued to mount roadblocks across the region, particularly for extorting the motoring public, rather than for security reasons.
He cited an instance where from Onitsha to Ekwulobia road, there were over 10 roadblocks used for extortions of various sums of money from motorists depending on the hour of the day, adding that the proceeds from roadblocks were enough to construct third Niger bridge in the region.
He pointed out that ASATU was founded when people in the state suffered maltreatment such as harassments, intimidation and extortions 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.”
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