Kano State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has called for removal of roadblocks mounted to curb terrorism in the city.
Branch Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Nassarawa, told our correspondent on the telephone on Monday, that security personnel at some of the checkpoints were using them to extort drivers and other road users.
The checkpoints, Nassarawa added, restricted road users’ movements and impeded business activities.
He said, “Yes, the military men, mobile and ordinary police collect money from drivers at the checkpoints. There are places where the police and the Joint Task Force move into and they will just be shooting into the air and would just be collecting money from people and extorting money from drivers at checkpoints.”
Rejecting the argument that the withdrawal of roadblocks could escalate security situation in the state, Nassarawa added, “The issue is what are they even doing anyway? They don’t arrest anybody at the checkpoints; they don’t discover anything at the checkpoints.”
Nassarawa, who urged the security operatives to be more innovative in tackling the security situation, added that they should patrol strategic locations in the state.
He said, “Actually, we have been trying to engage the government, particularly on the issue of roadblocks in Kano which is preventing people to move about freely.
“Why do they not relax the checkpoints and go underground? They should do some serious patrol and stay at strategic points so that they can easily move in if anything happens.”
Meanwhile, Overseer of the Christian Ministry of Reconciliation, Bishop John Ogu, has urged Christians in the North to hold services in small units and to remain steadfast.
Ogu, who spoke with our correspondent in Magboro, Ogun State, also urged Nigerian to internalise the spirit of sacrifice, which he said was the hallmark of Easter.
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I think the NBA chairman in kano is ignorant of wat is happening in hiS state. Calling for removal of checkpoints is inhuman, if he doesn't appreciate the efforts of JTF, maybe that is bcos his family or relations are not affected. But be informed that anybody can be a victim mr selfish.
ReplyDeletemr ibrahim is simply myopic in his brain if at all he has any. A statement coming from a supposed "learned colleague" its pathetic.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that the two comments above are from people that are not living in Kano and hence far from the truth. The man doesn't call for withdrawal of JTF but some road blocks. Infact some of the road blocks kill the state more than the BH itself. It is just a business period. If our children should grow in a situation where security forces shots,extort and kill anyhow in the street, where are we heading to? The worst part they had never discover anything in any of the road blocks except that they made themselves available as target for attack. Even if any car is fully loaded with bombs and the driver prepares their breads, they don't bother check any further only to do attention for the driver. I personally was ashamed of myself when i saw a soldier man struggling to extort a loaf of bread from a bread seller along Maiduguri road at NNPC depot where they were not primarily supposed to man a road block. The road block has out-use its usefulness.
ReplyDeleteThe NBA chairman is correct to an extent, the road blocks should be minimised and a lot of emphasis should be placed on intelligence gathering. I believe that if citizens of a community are truly averse to any sect, they will not allow such a sect exist in their mist. The recent attempt on the life of the Emir of Kano was an eye opener to any true indigene of the state. We will not allow anyone to destroy our state which is known in history as a state that welcomes everyone!
ReplyDeleteAllah will in no time provide a solution to our present problems in Kano.