Ex-Ebonyi commissioner faults mounting of road blocks by vigilance group
NAN-H-48
Road
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, Dec. 14, 2017 (NAN) Mr Ndubuisi Chibueze-Agbo, a former Commissioner for Education in Ebonyi, has faulted the mounting of road blocks by Ebonyi Neighbourhood Watch Group (ENWG), in some major roads and streets across the state.
Chibueze-Agbo in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abakaliki, said that the action of the state government sponsored ENWG was illegal and constituted infringements on the citizens rights to free movement.
The former commissioner who served as Education Commissioner under the Chief Martin Elechi administration alleged that the road blocks were manned by untrained non security personnel.
Chibueze-Agbo, a lawyer,maintained that it was illegal, unconstitutional for ordinary individuals to block roads in the guise of providing security, arguing that such duties were exclusive preserve of the Police and other government security outfits.
“They have no requisite training for the job and have usurped the duties and responsibilities of the Police as they now stop and search vehicles in the state at night.
“There ultimate purpose is to intimidate, harass and witch-hunt perceived opponents of the state government and also subject hapless members of the public to undue and unlawful harrowing experience.
“The Police should rise up to their constitutional responsibility and save the public the untold embarrassment caused by the nefarious activities of the group, ” Chibueze-Agbo said.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Internal Security Matters, Dr Kenneth Ugbala, said that the road blocks and activities of the Neighborhood Watch Group would assist in reducing criminal activities in the state.
” The stop and search operation at the various road blocks mounted at strategic areas in Abakaliki metropolis and other parts of the state will help in checking crime and criminality in the state.
“One of the cardinal responsibilities of government is protection of lives and property of citizens and what the government is doing is to ensure that adequate security of lives of every citizen is guaranteed especially in this Yuletide.
“The ’ember’ period is usually characterised by upsurge in all kinds of criminal activities including armed robbery, kidnapping, abduction, rape among others, hence the need to put in place extra security measures.
“ENWG is working in close collaboration with the Nigeria Police which of course is supervising the activities of the group, and members maintain high discipline.
“It will be unfair for anyone to accuse the group of political witch-hunt or intimidating innocent law abiding members of the public, ” Ugbala said.
The Police Public Relations Officer of Ebonyi Command, Mrs Lovett Odah, said that the group was partnering with the Police on information gathering on activities of hoodlums.
“The Police trained the members of the ENWG to assist it in information gathering on criminal activities and we monitor their operations to ensure that they were in line with the laws of the state.
“When the issue of blocking roads in capital city came up, we interfaced with state government and insisted that the activities group should be restricted to information gathering and that no roads within the metropolis should be blocked.
“As vigilance group they are allowed to put security posts at the community level, in agreement with leadership of the community to enhance adequate safety and protection of lives and property, ” Odah said. (NAN)
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Edited by Obike Ukoh
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