By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), a human and environmental rights advocacy group based in Abia State has called for adequate security services across the South-East region during this year?s Christmas celebration.

The group reiterates the need for all the security agencies deployed to the Southeast to follow the rules of engagement for the interest of the region and nation at large, especially that of travelers to and from the region.

It stated that in line with the mandate of the Foundation in ensuring a healthy and robust relations between the security agencies and citizens is enhanced and deepened at all times.

According to the organisation, the Southeast region of Nigeria is predominantly a Christian enclave and so witnesses heightened activities during this time of the year.

This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, and made available to News Express.

The statement reads: ?The Foundation is aware that during seasons like this, the region is usually a beehive as indigenes return home annually for numerous occasions like traditional marriage, burial, housewarming, traditional retirement and sundry events.

?Even though insecurity is currently plaguing the Southeast, the season allows family members and loved ones to reunite physically, especially those living in other parts of the country and beyond.

?Given that the Southeast has suffered a lot as a result of the ongoing agitation for separate existence with many attendant problems, it behoves the security agencies to play by the rules and ensure that the weakened security landscape of the region is not further ruptured by their conduct during this season.

?The issue of countless roadblocks in the Southeast, beginning from the Igboeze North LGA axis which borders areas like Olamanboro LGA in Kogi State, deserves attention.

?From that axis alone to the boundary between Enugu and Abia are to be found over 25 military and police checkpoints, not to mention other beats manned by sister agencies, whereas this is not the case in other parts of the country, including the once-dreaded Abuja-Kaduna expressway in the North.

?This call from the Foundation becomes even more crucial following the order given by the Inspector General of Police that no citizen be illegally arrested, detained or harassed in any manner of form, especially under the guise of search operation where the security agencies search citizens? phones and gadgets without warrant.

?Again, according to findings by the Foundation, illegal arrest and forced detention usually increase in the region during the festive period.

?There is every need to review the operation of security personnel stationed in the region for a win-win outcome.

?The civic space in the Southeast is shrinking and contracting partly as a result of the activities of law enforcement agents deployed thereto. Christmas, which ought to be a season of joy and reflection for mankind has become a period of sustained exploitation of motorists and other road users.

?This informs the call for the dismantling of some of the roadblocks and for better policing and security enforcement standards from all state institutions charged with security service provision in the region.

?The Foundation urges everyone in the region to obey traffic rules and respect constituted authorities.

?This is ample time for agencies like the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC to carry out massive street campaigns, road shows, and public enlightenment programmes to educate drivers, motorists, and road users as traffic tends to be chaotic during Christmas with the problems like speeding and drink-driving common among most commercial motorists.

?The Foundation believes that only professionalism from the security and law enforcement agencies will make the season and its reason worthwhile, as it calls for a review of security enforcement in those places within the Southeast where citizens are expected to get off their vehicles and raise their hands (in total surrender) just to pass military checkpoints in peacetime.

?The Foundation wishes all Abians and Southeast indigenes and residents a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year in advance as it salutes the efforts of security personnel working to see that there is calm in the region as their presence contributes significantly to the reasons many still return to the region during the festive period.

?The Foundation ? by this release ? urges the five governors of the region, including federal lawmakers to work towards peace in the region so that the joy of Christmas is not lost in the region.?