The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised a serious alarm, stating that soldiers across Nigeria's South East region have openly disobeyed a direct order from the newly appointed Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd).
Defiance Against a Strategic Directive
According to HURIWA, General Musa's directive for soldiers to withdraw from mounting roadblocks has been completely ignored. The minister had announced this withdrawal as a key part of his strategy to refocus the military purely on counterinsurgency and other critical internal security operations. He stated that checkpoint duties would be handed over to the police and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
This order was given during his screening at the Senate, marking it as a fundamental policy shift. For decades, soldiers have been a common sight at checkpoints on Nigerian roads, particularly in volatile areas, to support civil authorities.
Business as Usual During Yuletide
HURIWA's National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, revealed that during the recent Yuletide season, the situation on the ground was starkly different from the minister's expectations. Contrary to the belief that the order was being followed, hundreds of roadblocks remained operational across the South East.
Soldiers and police officers, armed with weapons and ammunition, were observed manning these barricades. Instead of enhancing security, HURIWA reported that the personnel were busy extorting money from drivers. This illegal activity was compounded by the severe traffic gridlock the roadblocks created, causing major difficulties for road users during the festive period.
A Breach of Military Discipline
The association expressed deep regret over the situation, noting the fundamental military principle of obeying orders from commanders. It appears the enthusiastic defence minister may have been misled into believing his directive was being implemented.
"It is unfortunate that in all of South East of Nigeria, it was observed during the Yuletide season that it was business as usual," HURIWA stated. This defiance not only undermines the minister's authority but also questions the discipline within the ranks regarding a clear and public strategic command.
The persistence of these military checkpoints, now reportedly hubs for extortion, directly contradicts the stated goal of deploying soldiers more effectively against insurgency and grave security threats. The situation calls for urgent verification and enforcement of the minister's order to restore both discipline and public trust in security operations.
