* Allays fears of extortion, traffic disruption
By Nudoiba Ojen
The acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said that police cannot vacate checkpoints in view of the importance of safe and efficient road networks.
Egbetokun says that his administration will stop at nothing in ensuring that checkpoints are devoid of extortion and corrupt practices and as well minimize any inconveniences to the public while maintaining public safety.
A statement by the Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said, “The IGP has ordered the deployment of the improved Monitoring Unit and X-Squad operatives, in collaboration with supervisory senior officers to conduct thorough assessments of key checkpoints along our highways.
“This initiative 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 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. Though such checkpoints and other operations may occasionally create inconveniences, they are aimed at achieving anti-crime goals”.
Egbetokun appealed to the public to cooperate with the operatives for the greater good, assuring that the supervisory officers had been charged to lecture and supervise their men to uphold the principles of decency and dignity in all operations.
These, he said, included 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 urged members of the public to always cooperate with the police and other security agents on operations, encouraged them to share their feedback, experiences, and suggestions with the police as he expressed the Force commitment to ensuring the safety and security of every individual traversing our highways.
