Drivers travelling through various highways and roads in Anambra State, especially along the Onitsha-Owerri dual motorway, are complaining about the heavy traffic congestion caused as a result of numerous roadblocks mounted by security personnel at different checkpoints.

The places where the checkpoints cause the traffic congestion are Obosi-Idemili Bypass under the recently completed Second Niger Bridge flyover, First Gate Bus Stop, Ekwusigo Local Government Area Headquarters at Ozubulu, Enamel Bus Stop, Ozubulu Police Area Command Headquarters, and Okija Junction, all along the Onitsha-Owerri dual motorway.

Others include the Ogbo-Ogwu Junction, Awkuzu Junction, Amawbia By-pass, and Borremeo Bus Stop, all along the Awka-Onitsha Motorway, among others.

An investigation on Wednesday revealed police, navy personnel, and the army mounted numerous security checkpoints along the roads. It was also noted that the checkpoints were in close proximity and were used to extort various sums of money from motorists plying the roads.

It added that, at Enamel Junction, NAVY personnel operating the checkpoint used young people to collect money from drivers. The amounts varied depending on the vehicle type, with truck drivers facing the highest fees (N1,000), followed by shuttle bus drivers (N500), and then tricycle operators (N100).

Interacting with journalists in a different interview over the inappropriate development, a concerned citizen and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Importers Association of Nigeria, Gilbert Obi, urged security agencies within the Anambra State command to urgently observe the activities of their personnel at these checkpoints.

Obi, an Onitsha-based resident, complained that the negative outcomes of the commando-style operations of the security personnel at the checkpoints were gradually becoming so mysterious that law-abiding travellers were no longer comfortable with them on the highways.