‎From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki

‎The Ebonyi State Police Command has urged the students of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki to always report any case of intimidation, harassment and extortion by Policemen attached to the Ishieke checkpoint to the Divisioner Police Officer in charge of the area or directly to the State Commissioner of Police.
‎This was even as the Command assured of its commitment to providing adequate security for the protection of lives and property on campus.
‎The Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, gave the assurance when she received the leadership of the university’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) on a courtesy visit to the Police Command Headquarters in Abakaliki.
‎The delegation was led by the SUG President, Comrade Chika Abraham Nwuhuo.
‎The visit followed concerns raised by the student leadership over alleged police harassment, extortion and intimidation at the Ishieke checkpoint, located near the university community.
‎Speaking during the meeting, Nwuhuo appealed to the police to address the challenges posed by the checkpoint, noting that students were often delayed on their way to lectures and examinations.
‎”We have decided to come and meet with you in dialogue instead of confrontation, many students have missed exams and lectures because of the delays on the roads at the checking point.
‎”This is the reason why we have come, because protests have not solved any problem, the undue delay and harassment is becoming something else, that is why we want to solicit for the check point to be moved.”
‎Abraham also appealed to the police to deploy officers to Presco Junction, citing incidents of phone snatching, sexual harassment and extortion in the area. He attributed the growing insecurity to poor lighting and expressed confidence that a police presence would help improve safety for students.
‎Responding, the police boss said the Ishieke checkpoint would remain because of its strategic importance, describing the location as a security flashpoint.
‎She, however, urged students to report any cases of harassment or extortion to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area and encouraged them to always carry valid student identity cards.
‎She also advised students using motorcycles or vehicles to ensure they have the necessary licences and ownership documents.
‎”We are not shifting the checkpoint, as regards undue delay and harassment as well as extortion, report to the DPO, if she doesn’t take action, call me, but, if that delay you called undue is not carried out and if we don’t search and they passed into your hostels, it’s the same you that would say it’s just after a police checkpoint,” she said.
‎The police commissioner immediately directed that officers be deployed to Presco Junction to strengthen security in the area. She also assured the students of continued collaboration with the command and encouraged the university leadership to seek government intervention to improve street lighting around the campus environment.