By Dele Ogbodo
Following his earlier directive to beef up security arrangement across the country, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Ibrahim Idris,
has ordered the commencement of a nationwide stop and search operation of all movements nationwide to nip crimes and criminality in the bud.
This order which is in addition to his earlier directives on the implementation of an elaborate security arrangement to beef-up security throughout the nation is to ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebration nationwide is to carried out by all State Police Commands.
The order, he said should be carried out at flash points, black spots and vulnerable points on major roads and highways.
This was contained in a statement signed by CSP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement made available to Sharpedgenews online Sunday night in Abuja.
The statement read: “In order to ensure free flow of traffic and ease movement of travellers, the stop and search point will not be located at areas susceptible to traffic gridlock or vehicular hold-ups.
“The Police teams on traffic control and observation patrols have been deployed to such points and sections to manage traffic and carryout police observation duties.
“IGP further directs that all Commissioners of Police must supervise the Police personnel deployed to these stop and search points to make sure that they are not turned to roadblock, as the total ban on all forms of road blocks is still in force.”
Moshood in the statement advised members of the public to promptly report any roadblock seen mounted anywhere in the country to the IGP X-Squad through the following: 0902 690 0729, 08078662130, 08174041000, 0903 227 8905 – SMS, 0903 562 1377 – whatsapp, email: integrityxsquad@gmail.com
The statement further said that the Police Federal Highway Patrol Teams, Safer Highway and Divisional Patrol Teams and other Police Special Squads deployed for the stop and search operations are under strict instructions to be polite, civil but firm in ensuring security and safety of travellers and other road users on all the highways and major roads across the nation.
The IG called on travellers and road users to cooperate with personnel of the Force deployed in their localities as they carry out their duties of ensuring security and safety of lives and property all Nigerians.