The House of Representatives, on Thursday, urged security agencies to reduce the number of checkpoints on the Onitsha-Enugu expressway to address alleged cases of harassment and extortion of motorists plying the route.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, urged security agencies to reduce the number of checkpoints on the Onitsha-Enugu expressway to address alleged cases of harassment and extortion of motorists plying the route.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved during the plenary session by the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Abia state, Amobi Ogah.
Ogah, Labour Party lawmaker lamented the agony faced by motorists plying the route owing to what he called unnecessary harassment by security agents.
According to him, the distance between Onitsha and Enugu is approximately 105km with about 28 security checkpoints with an average of 3.7 km each in Awkuzu Junction, Amawbia Junction, Ugwuoba Boundary, Oji River Junction, and Onyeama Hill thus subjecting travellers to constant harassment, delays, and extortions.
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The numerous checkpoints along the expressway, he noted, violates Nigerian citizens’ constitutional rights to free movement as enshrined in Section 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and directly affronts the dignity of the people, especially in the South-East.
The lawmaker expressed worry that the security checkpoints are perceived as tools for harassment, with citizens often forced to pay bribes, negatively impacting socio-economic life by increasing transportation costs, causing delays, and discouraging economic activities.
According to Ogah, “The current approach to security, which involves increasing excessive checkpoints is detrimental to the region’s economic stability, and it’s counterproductive,” adding that there is the need “To advocate for modern, efficient security methods that do not cause hardship or violate constitutional rights of Nigerians.”
A member of the All Progressives Congress from Lagos State, James Faleke, faulted the title of the bill, arguing that the challenges of insecurity in the South East necessitated the mounting of multiple checkpoints.
He said, “There are series of insecurity challenges in the South-East particularly in Anambra State. Rather than asking for the reduction of the checkpoints, I think what we should be discussing is that security agents should be cautioned about harassment and extortion of motorists.”
On his part, Akwa Ibom State lawmaker, Mark Esset, described the motion as a people-centred legislative intervention, noting, however that its concern should be on the behaviour of security operatives rather than the number of checkpoints.
Despite the arguments, the motion was adopted and the House mandated its Committees on Defence, Army, and Police Affairs to dialogue with the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police to explore alternative security strategies that will not subject people to hardship or violate their constitutional rights.
It also charged the Committee on Road Safety to dialogue with the Federal Road Safety Corps Corp-marshal to regulate the number of its checkpoints on the Onitsha-Enugu expressway.
The House further mandated that the Committee on National Security and Intelligence engage its relevant agencies and advocate for community-based security initiatives and improved intelligence gathering to address regional security concerns effectively.
The House equally mandated the Committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security to intensify strict oversight to ensure that security operatives act within the bounds of the law and not use their positions to harass or exploit citizens.
