Igbo Group Raises Alarm Over Illegal Checkpoints, Detention Cells In Igboland

        
South East based Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF) has called for the dismantling of illegal checkpoints and detention cells in some parts of Igboland.
The group, in statement by Augustine Chukwudum, and Chinedu Onyebuchi, president and secretary general, respectively, lamented the effect of the illegal activities on the economy of the region.

Chukwudum alleged that the illegal detention centres were established by vigilantes in some communities in Ichi, Ekwusigo Local Government Area; Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area; Nkpor and Ogidi, both in Idemili North Local Government Area; Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area all in Anambra State.
He also disclosed that local vigilantes were mounting illegal checkpoints in Isouchi near Isouchi Police Station in Umunneochi Local Government Area, Abia State and also Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area.
While calling on all local vigilante groups in the region to work under the supervision of the police to checkmate any form of excess that could arise due to lack of proper training, Chukwudum appealed to the Federal Government to to upgrade Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) Awkwuzu to South East Special Anti Robbery Squad.
He said the crime rate has reduced in the South East states of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu as a result of effective policing, while commending the Police for crime fighting.
“We applaud men of Special Anti Robbery Squad Awkuzu and other men of the Police Force in the region that have contributed in making the region a safe haven; and call on Police Service Commission to identify those officers that have worked gallantry and show compensation by promoting and also documenting their modus operandi so that it can be used in future if the need arises.
“We are against any detention cell apart from the ones recognised by law and therefore call on relevant authorities to ensure that all illegal detention cells in the South East region are dismantled with immediate effect.
“We call for the improvement of welfare packages of members of Police Force and also for the upgrading of their insurance packages.
“We appeal for the procurement of equipment for tracking of kidnappers among others so that the Police Force can work effectively
“We call on the Federal Government to establish police barrack in all the local government areas and to ensure that members of the police do not face accommodation problem in South East and the country because it will help to checkmates compromise in the force thereby leading to reduction in crime rate,” the group stated.