Soldiers in South East Extort, Humiliate Us While Kidnappers Operate Freely Near Checkpoints, Igbo Women’s Group Alleges

Igbo women, under the banner of the National Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), have voiced strong concerns over the conduct of soldiers stationed at numerous checkpoints across the South East region. They have called on the Federal Government to withdraw these troops, asserting that their presence has exacerbated problems rather than addressing them.

According to the IWA, soldiers manning these checkpoints have strayed from their primary mission of ensuring security, instead focusing on extorting money from motorists and harassing commuters. The group’s president, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, highlighted the humiliating treatment of travelers, including the sick and elderly, who are often forced to disembark from vehicles and cross checkpoints on foot.

Chimezie expressed frustration that such degrading practices are only seen in the South East and questioned why the Igbo people are being subjected to such treatment by the military. She also raised concerns over the alarming frequency of kidnappings and other criminal activities occurring near these checkpoints, which, she argued, the soldiers have failed to prevent.

“Since they have failed to secure the people they were sent to protect, we demand that the Federal Government withdraw them immediately. The police, who are more approachable, should be empowered to take over the responsibility of protecting the people,” Chimezie stated.

Additionally, IWA criticized the Federal Government’s inaction regarding ongoing anti-Igbo sentiments in Lagos. The group questioned why individuals behind ethnic hate campaigns and attacks on the Igbo community in Lagos have not been apprehended, expressing deep concern over the treatment of the Igbo people in Nigeria.