The National Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has called on the Federal Government to withdraw the soldiers deployed across numerous checkpoints in the Southeast region, citing widespread extortion and harassment of motorists and commuters.
The women assert that instead of addressing the region’s security challenges, the soldiers have become a source of additional problems.
During a press briefing in Enugu, IWA President Lolo Nneka Chimezie expressed deep concern over the conduct of the soldiers, who, according to her, have deviated from their primary mission of ensuring security.
She highlighted the humiliation faced by commuters, including the sick and elderly, who are forced to disembark from their vehicles and cross checkpoints on foot before rejoining their transport.
This practice, she noted, is not seen in other parts of the country, raising questions about the specific targeting of the South East.
“It is disheartening to see that the soldiers sent to Igbo land to tackle insecurity have literally abandoned their mission to engage in extortion and humiliation of the people of the region,” Chimezie said.
She also lamented that criminals often carry out attacks and abductions close to these military checkpoints, yet the perpetrators are rarely apprehended, further undermining the soldiers’ supposed role in maintaining security.
IWA has called for the immediate withdrawal of the soldiers from the region, suggesting that the police, who are more approachable and less aggressive, should be entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the people.
“Since they have failed to secure the people they were asked to protect, we demand that the Federal Government withdraws them immediately,” Chimezie stated.
The women also voiced concerns about the ongoing anti-Igbo campaign in Lagos, where there has been a surge in ethnic hatred and hate speech.
They criticized the Federal Government for failing to arrest those behind these divisive actions, which have led to threats and attacks against Igbo people.
“We wonder what offence the Igbo have committed to be so badly treated in Nigeria,” the IWA President questioned.
