Driver Narrates How Soldiers Sack Vigilante Group Over Illegal Checkpoint On Enugu-Nsukka Road

A driver plying Enugu-Opi-Nsukka road in Enugu State, Tuesday, narrated how men of the Nigerian Army swooped on a neighbourhood watch group who recently constructed a checkpoint with an office attachment on the route.

The driver, who identified himself as Moses Okorie, said complaints about the excesses of the group were much, and commended the soldiers for acting swiftly.

He said, “The group constructed an office, equipped it and began to exploit motorists. Within a week of their operations, many accidents were recorded on that spot because of the unprofessional ways they were carrying out their assignments. They had an officer equivalent of a DPO.

“They demanded papers, threatened us and so on. They also built some barricades obstructing vehicular movement. They openly requested money from drivers. If one refused, all of them would pounce on the person.

“We were happy when a few weeks ago, soldiers rounded them up, and asked them to pack what they used to block the road. They began to carry them one after the other. After that, their vehicle was impounded and kept at the military checkpoint. It stayed there for some time until recently when the Siena bus was removed. I learnt that they were detained until interventions were made.”

THE WHISTLER reports that the dismantled roadblock of the group is situated about one kilometre from the one manned by men of the Nigerian Army.

When our correspondent visited the location, the office of the group was under lock. The sandbags used to barricade the highway were also packed behind the building.

Efforts to speak with the authorities of the group, said to be from Opi community in Nsukka local government area, failed.

A native of the community, who does not want his name mentioned, however, said, “The vigilante group is a creation of the state government under its community policing initiatives. The scheme is yielding positive results in making the state crime free.

“But this group went excess by erecting an office and roadblock. In fact, they were taking laws into their hands. The action of the soldiers is very good. I don’t know how they raised funds to build the structure. We beg the Nigeria Police to occupy the structure because it is befitting. Neither the army nor the police have such permanent structure.”

Some natives commended the dismantling of the roadblock, arguing that it would have provided a fertile ground from criminals during this yuletide.