The
police in Abuja say they will continue to barricade roads across the Federal
Capital Territory, citing soaring criminal activities.
Anjuguri Manzah, spokesperson for the FCT
command, said officers have been ordered to “embark on vigorous stop and search
along the highways,” as part of police’s response to rising cases of
criminality in Abuja and its environs.
The announcement appeared to counter the order of the
Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for immediate demolition
of all roadblocks across the country.
“IGP Ibrahim Idris has ordered the dismantling
of all roadblocks nationwide with immediate effect; particularly on the
following routes, Lagos-Ibadan, Shagamu-Benin, Benin-Onitsha, Okene-Abuja,
Kaduna-Kano, Katsina – Kano, Otukpo – Enugu, Enugu – Port Harcourt Express
Ways. The directives became necessary to enable ease of doing business in
Nigeria, safeguard, and guarantee free passage of goods and travellers
throughout the country.
“To this end, no Police department, section,
squad or unit should mount roadblock without the express permission of the
Inspector General of Police,” police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, said in a
statement late Monday.
In his Wednesday statement, Mr. Manzah said the
FCT command is “poised to take necessary action to stem the tide” of car theft
and other activities of petty criminals.
Mr. Manzah did not say if the command had been
exempted from the IGP’s latest ordinance to formations across the country.
Mounting roadblocks has been a matter of
immense controversy for decades, with many rights activists describing it as
illegal and a means of extortion.
No comments:
Post a Comment