The National Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has urged the Federal Government to withdraw soldiers currently stationed at checkpoints throughout the South-East region, claiming that their presence is causing more harm than good.
According to the group, the soldiers are primarily engaged in extortion and harassment of commuters, rather than fulfilling their security duties.
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In a statement, IWA expressed dismay over the soldiers’ treatment of motorists, including forcing them to leave their vehicles and cross checkpoints on foot.
The group questioned why such practices are specific to the South-East and argued that the people of the region should not be subjected to such humiliation.
Lolo Nneka Chimezie, President of IWA, criticized the soldiers for deviating from their security mandate and instead engaging in practices detrimental to the citizens they are supposed to protect.
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She pointed out that despite the heavy military presence, criminal activities continue to occur near these checkpoints without any intervention.
The IWA is calling for the Federal Government to immediately remove the soldiers from the region and allow the police to take over, noting that police officers are generally more accessible and less harsh towards the public.
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The organization also addressed the ongoing anti-Igbo sentiments in Lagos, questioning why individuals responsible for ethnic hate speech and violence against the Igbo community have not been arrested.
The IWA is particularly concerned about the detention of Eze Nwajagu, a prominent Igbo leader in Lagos, who was reportedly arrested for calling on IPOB to protect the Igbo in response to threats and attacks on their community.
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The group expressed frustration over the apparent disparity in law enforcement, highlighting that those who have threatened or attacked the Igbo in Lagos have not faced similar legal consequences.
They argue that this unequal treatment reflects a broader issue of injustice.
The IWA has called on President Bola Tinubu to either release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Chief Nwajagu or take immediate action against those threatening the Igbo community, insisting that the same legal standards should apply to all Nigerians.
