REASSURING Nigerians that the era of checkpoints dotting the Nigerian landmark is gone for good, police Inspector-General M.D. Abubakar made it clear again on Wednesday that the decision to abolish what is popularly known as “road blocks” in Nigeria is a permanent decision.
The acting police boss also warned members of the police hierarchy that the decision to terminate the existence of checkpoints on Nigerian roadways should not give occasion to an increase in highway robberies and other similar crimes, as the existence of these checkpoints never really curtailed crimes in Nigeria in the first place.
Mr. Abubakar made the remarks after decorating two Assistant Inspector-Generals and a Deputy Commissioner of Police with their new ranks, insisting that State Commissioners of Police (CPs) would be solely responsible for any crime committed within their jurisdiction.
He said that a new approach had been mapped out to check armed robbery on the nation’s roadways, adding that his DIG Operations, Haruna John, was working on fine-tuning the new concept which, once adopted, would showcase a more efficient police in Nigeria.
According to the police, patrol vans will be stationed in strategic locations on all highways and all the routes linked to them, so that there will be no escape route for hoodlums.
Mr. Abubakar cited Ogun State and the ceaseless armed robbery cases recorded there, saying that arrangements has been made to tackle the issue, adding that with the donation of 100 vehicles and APCs, by the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosu, the policing the state has been made much easier.
The IGP noted that the time when other security agencies took over the duties of the police was over, as they were the leader in terms of internal security.
Indeed IG Abubakar has a lot on his plate given the massive security challenges across a 150 million-strong Nigeria where daily realities and challenges has driven many citizens to either resort to illegalities or to take the law into their hands.