The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the dismantling of all roadblocks across the country with immediate effect, five months after a similar order targeting revenue chasing commercial drivers’ unions.
The Police in a statement on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said the latest directives became necessary to enable ease of doing business in Nigeria, safeguard, and guarantee free passage of goods and travellers throughout the country.
The order will be particularly enforced along Lagos-Ibadan, Shagamu-Benin, Benin-Onitsha, Okene-Abuja, Kaduna-Kano, Katsina – Kano, Otukpo – Enugu and Enugu – Port Harcourt Express Ways.
“No Police department, section, squad or unit should mount road block without express permission of the Inspector General of Police,” the statement said, adding that “Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands, Heads of Departments, must 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 Police Special X-Squads have also been deployed across the country for strict enforcement of the order and to “arrest, investigate and discipline any Police personnel violating this directive.”
The X-Squads will also dismantle other forms of illegal blockage and obstructions on Highways and Roads, created by unlawful Revenue/Tax collectors, Road Transport Unions, Labour and Trade related unions inhibiting vehicular movement and smooth passage of passengers and goods, and other road users across the country.
