Amaechi dismantles Police road blocks in Rivers * Warns against impunity, right abuses

GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State on Sunday, January 3, 2010, took on the police in the state, warning them against impunity and human rights abuses.

Police in the state use horsewhips on citizens at will, and easily extort money from motorists at road blocks mounted by the law enforcement officers under the guise of combating crime.

Apparently irked by what he saw on Sunday, the governor stopped his convoy, and took control of the heavy traffic that built up from the Port Harcourt International road due to the road block by the police.

Irked, Amaechi dismantled the road block at the airport, Omagwa junction for ''causing untold hardship'' for motorists entering Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The road block was however, mounted by men of the Swift Operation Squad (SOS), a special security outfit.

Governor Amaechi's spokesman, Blessing Wikina, told our correspondent on Monday that the road block constituted serious traffic jam for motorists returning to Port Harcourt from the X-mas and new year holidays before the arrival of the governor’s convey.

''Irked by the situation, the governor stopped his convoy and took over the control of the traffic for approximately thirty minutes'', Wikina said.

Governor Amaechi, who drew the attention of the most senior Police Officer at the check point, condemned their attitude for allowing motorists to suffer as the traffic hold up had stretched from the airport junction to Omagwa community.

The governor was returning from Ohakpu, in Orlu Senatorial District of Imo State where he participated in the third annual Senatorial District Day and cultural celebration of the people at the country home of Senator Osita Izunaso.

He directed the police officers not to allow such scenario repeat itself as anyone caught meting out such inhuman treatment to fellow citizens would be disciplined.

At the third Orlu District Day and cultural celebration, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, and former Minister of Information Chief Walter Ofonagoro were among prominent dignitaries that attended the grand finale of the event which featured presentation of trophies and prizes to winners.