NUJ Accuses Gov Soludo’s Task Force of Brutality

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to take action against the state’s task force responsible for demolishing illegal structures and collecting revenue.

The Union accused the task force of inflicting pain and hardship on residents in the name of carrying out their duties. A communique signed by the Council Chairman, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu; and Secretary, Sir Aloysius Ofodile; after its February Congress, condemned the task force’s actions and urged the governor to stop their alleged violence.

The NUJ specifically criticized the task force’s methods of demolishing structures, claiming they destroy personal property alongside the illegal buildings. They urged the governor to ensure a more civil and humane approach to demolitions, especially considering the current economic hardship.

The communique read partly, “We condemn the activities of the overzealous task force members of Anambra State Government who are used to inflicting pains on so many individuals while demolishing what they call illegal structures in some parts of the state or hunting some people in internal revenue generation for the government.

“We advise the Governor to direct his government officials to ensure civility and humanness in dealing with demolition of the obvious illegal structures and avoid destroying one’s goods alongside the illegal structures, in the present biting economic condition of the country.”

While acknowledging the government’s efforts in road construction, the NUJ urged for increased focus on improving the overall condition of roads across the state before the rainy season begins.