The acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM has directed state Commissioners of Police to immediately dismantle non-security checkpoints within their areas of responsibilities.
He also directed them to arrest and prosecute those involved in the operation of such illegal checkpoints.
IGP Egbetokun gave the directive on Thursday at the ongoing IGP Conference at the Force headquarters, Abuja while also reeling out the achievements of the force in the last five weeks.
He said the force was aware of the challenge posed by the continued presence of unauthorized persons on the various highways around the country.
While highlighting the importance of discipline in bringing about professionalism, the IGP declared that the force would spare no effort in upholding the standard of discipline in officers.
He disclosed that the IGP monitoring unit and the X Squad operatives along with supervisory senior officers are now being deployed to check the checkpoints on the nation’s highways.
The goal, the nation’s number one police officer noted, is to ensure strategically placed and corruption-free checkpoints that prioritise public safety and minimize inconveniences.
IGP Egbetokun said although there might be concerns about checkpoints, they are vital for visibility policing.
He appealed to members of the public to be patient with officers deployed to the checkpoints, adding that their presence is for the safety of everyone.
“I therefore urge members of the public to be patient with our men deployed to the checkpoints. Their presence at the checkpoints is for our safety. Members of the public who experience any ugly encounter with the men are urged to report such ugly experience promptly through any of the phone numbers that have been earlier published nationwide
“We are equally aware of the challenge posed by the continued presence of the unauthorized persons on the various highways around the country in the guise of revenue generation who constantly constitute nuisance on the highways by obstructing the flow of traffic and engaging in mischievous activities such as the seizure of vehicles, collection of fines, and other unlawful activities.
“All state commissioners of police are hereby directed to immediately commence the dismantling of such non-security checkpoints within their areas of responsibilities and arrest all violators for prompt prosecution.”
