IGP orders dismantling of roadblocks nationwide

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has ordered the dismantling of all roadblocks nationwide with immediate effect.

The routes which the IGP orders dismantling include Lagos-ibadan, SagamuBenin, Benin-onitsha, Okene-abuja, Kaduna-kano, Katsina - Kano, Otukpo - Enugu, and Enugu – Port Harcourt Express Ways. A statement issued late yesterday in Abuja by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Jimoh Moshood, said the directives became necessary to enable ease of doing business in Nigeria, safeguard, and guarantee free passage of goods and travellers throughout the country. According to the statement, no police department, section, squad or unit should mount road block without express permission of the Inspector General of Police. The IGP said that police personnel who involve in vehicular patrol on highways and major roads across the country must wear their uniforms, a bold name tag, and service number. According to him, special xsquad teams of the Force have been deployed throughout the country with strict instructions to arrest, investigate and discipline any police personnel violating this directive.

Moshood said the IGP also directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGS) in charge of zonal commands, commissioners of police in charge of state commands and heads of departments to ensure that every patrol vehicle in their respective formation carries a conspicuous and legible inscription of patrol vehicle identification number, and dedicated emergency phone numbers for ease of identification and report of distress by members of the public.

“The IGP has also directed the special x-squads to embark on removal of other forms of illegal blockage and obstructions on highways and roads, created by unlawful revenue/tax collectors, road transport unions, labour and traderelated unions inhibiting vehicular movement.”