Igbo Women Demand Immediate Withdrawal of Soldiers from South-East Roads

In an appeal to President Bola Tinubu, the National Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has called for the immediate withdrawal of soldiers stationed at checkpoints across the South-East region of Nigeria.

The women argue that the military presence has led to widespread extortion and harassment of motorists and commuters, deviating from their primary mission of ensuring security.

Speaking to journalists in Enugu, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, President of IWA, expressed deep concern over the soldiers' conduct.

"The soldiers sent to Igbo land to tackle insecurity have literally abandoned their mission to engage in extortion and humiliation of our people," she stated.

According to Chimezie, commuters are often forced to disembark from their vehicles and cross checkpoints on foot, a practice she described as humiliating and unique to the South-East.

The IWA highlighted several instances where criminals attacked and abducted people near these checkpoints without any intervention from the soldiers.

"Since they have failed to secure the people they were asked to protect, we demand that the Federal Government withdraws them immediately.

Police should be encouraged to protect the people as they are more approachable than soldiers who are always harsh on the people, irrespective of age," Chimezie added.

The women also criticized the Federal Government's handling of anti-Igbo sentiments in Lagos.

They pointed out the ongoing detention and trial of Eze Nwajagu, a prominent Igbo leader in Lagos, who had expressed frustration over the lack of protection for Igbo lives and properties.

"Some people have committed worse breaches even against Igbo in Lagos, yet they have not been arrested for trial," the women lamented.

The IWA called for the release of both Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Chief Nwajagu, urging the government to arrest those threatening the Igbo community in Lagos if the same laws apply to all Nigerians.

"The way the Federal Government is handling the matter suggests that there are different laws for different people in Nigeria," Chimezie concluded.

This plea from the National Igbo Women Assembly noted the urgent need for justice and equality, calling for an end to the discriminatory practices faced by the Igbo community in Nigeria.