By TINA TIMOTHY

As the yuletide period begins with its accompanied increased activities, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has called for provision of increased security service and discipline in the southeast of Nigeria.

The human and environmental rights advocacy group, emphasized the need for security agencies deployed to the Southeast to adhere to the rules of engagement, prioritizing the well-being of travelers and the region as a whole. This call to action aligned with FENRAD?s mission to foster healthy relationships between security agencies and citizens.

In a statement issued on Saturday, December 21, 2024 by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, FENRAD urged security agencies to exercise restraint and respect for human rights, ensuring a safe and enjoyable holiday season for all. By promoting constructive engagement and mutual understanding, FENRAD aimed to strengthen the bond between security agencies and the communities they serve.

The statement read: ?As the Christmas and New Year festivals draw nearer, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, a human and environmental rights advocacy group in Abia State wishes to reiterate the need for all the security agencies deployed to the Southeast to follow the rules of engagement the interest of the region and nation at large, especially that of travelers to and from the region. This is in line with the mandate of the Foundation in ensuring that a healthy and robust relations between the security agencies and citizens is enhanced and deepened at all times.

?The Southeast region of Nigeria is predominantly a Christian enclave and so witnesses heightened activities during this time of the year. The Foundation is aware that during seasons like this, the region is usually a beehive as indigenes return home annually for numerous occasions like traditional marriage, burial, housewarming, traditional retirement and sundry events. Even though insecurity is currently plaguing the Southeast, the season allows family members and loved ones to reunite physically, especially those living in other parts of the country and beyond.

?Given that the Southeast has suffered a lot as a result of the ongoing agitation for separate existence with many attendant problems, it behoves the security agencies to play by the rules and ensure that the weakened security landscape of the region is not further ruptured by their conduct during this season.?

FENRAD expressed worry that the Southeast region, particularly the Igboeze North LGA axis bordering Olamanboro LGA in Kogi State, is plagued by excessive number of roadblocks and consequently demanded for dismantling of some of them.

The Foundation further raised concerns about the impact of these checkpoints on citizens, particularly during the festive period when illegal arrests and forced detentions tend to increase, reiterating that the Inspector General of Police has also issued an order prohibiting the illegal arrest, detention, or harassment of citizens, especially during search operations where security agencies often search phones and gadgets without warrants.

The statement continued: ?The issue of countless roadblocks in the Southeast, beginning from the Igboeze North LGA axis which borders areas like Olamanboro LGA in Kogi State, deserves attention. From that axis alone to the boundary between Enugu and Abia are to be found over 25 military and police checkpoints, not to mention other beats manned by sister agencies, whereas this is not the case in other parts of the country, including the once-dreaded Abuja-Kaduna expressway in the North.

?This call from the Foundation becomes even more crucial following the order given by the Inspector General of Police that no citizen be illegally ?arrested, detained or harassed in any manner of form, especially under the guise of search operation where the security agencies search citizens? phones and gadgets without warrant. Again, according to findings by the Foundation, illegal arrest and forced detention usually increase in the region during the festive period. There is every need to review the operation of security personnel stationed in the region for a win-win outcome.

?The civic space in the Southeast is shrinking and contracting partly as a result of the activities of law enforcement agents deployed thereto. Christmas, which ought to be a season of joy and reflection for mankind has become a period of sustained exploitation of motorists and other road users. This informs the call for the dismantling of some of the roadblocks and for better policing and security enforcement standards from all state institutions charged with security service provision in the region.

?The Foundation urges everyone in the region to obey traffic rules and respect constituted authorities. This is ample time for agencies like the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC to carry out massive street campaigns, road shows, and public enlightenment programmes to educate drivers, motorists, and road users as traffic tends to be chaotic during Christmas with the problems like speeding and drink-driving common among most commercial motorists.

?The Foundation believes that only professionalism from the security and law enforcement agencies will make the season and its reason worthwhile, as it calls for a review of security enforcement in those places within the Southeast where citizens are expected to get off their vehicles and raise their hands (in total surrender) just to pass military checkpoints in peacetime.?

While urging the five governors of the region as well as federal lawmakers to work towards peace in the region, the group commended the security personnel, adding that ?only safety and discipline will usher us all into the coming year.?

?The Foundation wishes all Abians and Southeast indigenes and residents a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year in advance as it salutes the efforts of security personnel working to see that there is calm in the region as their presence contributes significantly to the reasons many still return to the region during the festive period.

?The Foundation ? by this release ? urges the five governors of the region, including federal lawmakers to work towards peace in the region so that the joy of Christmas is not lost in the region.

?In conclusion: only safety and discipline will usher us all into the coming year,? FENRAD stated.

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