By Hassan Zaggi
The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has put in place drastic measures aimed at restoring a sense of order, responsibility and to also sanitize police operations in all highways across Nigeria.
To achieve this, the IGP has ordered the deployment of what he christened- improved Monitoring Unit and X-Squad operatives.
This is in collaboration with supervisory senior officer in order to conduct thorough assessments of key checkpoints along Nigeria’s highways.
This initiative, according to a statement by the Force Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi (ACP), is aimed at ensuring that checkpoints are strategically placed and effectively managed, devoid of extortion and corrupt practices, and minimizing any inconveniences to the public while maintaining public safety.
The IGP further reaffirmed that the NPF cannot afford to do away with checkpoints “as they are vibrant parts of visibility policing, which is crucial to effective policing of our contemporary society.”
According to the IGP, though such checkpoints and other operations may occasionally create inconveniences, they are aimed at achieving anti-crime goals.
He appealed to all road users in Nigeria to cooperate with the police operatives for the greater good of all.
The IGP, however, assured that supervisory officers have been charged to lecture and supervise their men to uphold the principles of decency and dignity in all operations, which he said, include fostering a respectful and professional demeanor among officers and men as well as optimizing the use of technology and intelligence to enhance operational efficiency.
The IGP therefore, appealed to all Nigerians to cooperate with the police and other security agents on operations in the highways.
He further called on Nigerians to share their feedback, experiences, and suggestions with the police on how to improve operations of police on highways.
IG Egbetokun expressed the resoluteness of the Force in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of every individual traversing Nigeria’s highways.
