Kano State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has called for removal of roadblocks mounted to curb terrorism in the city.
Branch Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Nassarawa, told our correspondent on the telephone on Monday, that security personnel at some of the checkpoints were using them to extort drivers and other road users.
The checkpoints, Nassarawa added, restricted road users' movements and impeded business activities.
He said, "Yes, the military men, mobile and ordinary police collect money from drivers at the checkpoints. There are places where the police and the Joint Task Force move into and they will just be shooting into the air and would just be collecting money from people and extorting money from drivers at checkpoints."
Rejecting the argument that the withdrawal of roadblocks could escalate security situation in the state, Nassarawa added, "The issue is what are they even doing anyway? They don't arrest anybody at the checkpoints; they don't discover anything at the checkpoints."
Nassarawa, who urged the security operatives to be more innovative in tackling the security situation, added that they should patrol strategic locations in the state.
He said, "Actually, we have been trying to engage the government, particularly on the issue of roadblocks in Kano which is preventing people to move about freely.
"Why do they not relax the checkpoints and go underground? They should do some serious patrol and stay at strategic points so that they can easily move in if anything happens."
Meanwhile, Overseer of the Christian Ministry of Reconciliation, Bishop John Ogu, has urged Christians in the North to hold services in small units and to remain steadfast.
Ogu, who spoke with our correspondent in Magboro, Ogun State, also urged Nigerian to internalise the spirit of sacrifice, which he said was the hallmark of Easter.
