Road blocks that were earlier dismantled, have increased the rates of attacks by unknown gunmen, who operate unhindered.
By Anthony Musa Abuja
Worried by the increasing activities of non state actors in fueling the growing insecurity in the country, the House of Representatives has renewed call on the government to take drastic action in curtailing the security challenges in the country.
The House renewed its earlier call on the government to declare a state of emergency on the security situation in the country, while asking the Inspector General of Police to restore all road blocks earlier withdrawn from Anambra state.
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Adopting a motion of urgent public importance on the need to take urgent steps to addressing the increasing insecurity in Anambra state by Rep. Chris Azubugu, the House asked the National Security Adviser (NSA), Inspector General Police, Director General State Security, Army, Navy and other security agencies to form a joint taskforce to restore security in Anambra State especially Anambra South bordering Imo State.
Rep. Azubogu said it was dangerous to allow non state actors to continue to take control of the security situation in Anambra state in particular and the South East general, killing and maiming innocent person in the state.
He said many had thought that the security situation in the state would be better after the last governorship election, adding that instead of improving, the situation has become worse while many people can no longer stay in their homes.
He appeal to the government to help restore normalcy to the state by restoring road blocks, while asking the House to intervene and ensure that peace return to the state.
Rep. Linda Ikpeazu said one of the said one of the responsibilities of the government was to protect the lives of the people, adding that this is currently lacking in Anambra state as a result of the current situation in the state has made the ordinary people on the street not safe to go about their normal business.
He said there was currently lack of commitment to stem the tide of insecurity in the state which has led to the loss of innocent lives on a daily basis in the state and across the south east, alleging that the security agencies are aware of what is going on, but has refused to act.
She said “people cannot be dying every day. The relevant authority know what they should do. Anambra is still part of Nigeria and should be treated as such.
Rep. Chinedu Ogidigbe said the Anambra state governor called him to request that the House reverse the order given to the police to remove check points from the roads be reversed as it was not working for the good of the state.
He said people are.niw afraid to visit Anambra as a result of the activities of non state actors who have posed grave danger to the people of the state who are now afraid to visit the state.
He said urgent action need to be taken to address the situation as many lives are being lost on a daily basis, saying “the Federal Government should help us in the South East because we cannot afford to allow this to continue. Nowhere is safe today.
Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Rep Nkiruka Onyejeocha said the security situation is not restricted to Anambra state alone as nobody dire go out on Mondays throughout the South East as a result of the activities of non state actors who mount road block on high way, collecting tax and other levies from road users.
Rep Ahmed Jaha said a situation where non state actors are allowed to mount road blocks collecting tax and levies amount to having a parallel government and signs of a failed state.
He recalled that a similar situation occured when members of the Bono Haram insurgents started mounting road blocks in Borno state collecting tax with nothing don’t to stop them until the situation got out of hand and escalated to other parts of the north.
He said the government need to take serious measures to stop these illegal road blocks across the country, saying “we are 360 members in the House representing our people. We don’t know where this will shift to next”.