IGP orders the immediate removal of roadblocks nationwide

Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate removal of all roadblocks in the country.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, on Monday, September 25,2017.

The ban on roadblocks, according to the statement, is a necessity to guarantee free passage of goods and travellers throughout the country.

The statement also directed that all police officers patrolling highways and major roads in the country must put on their uniforms with their names and identification numbers easily displayed.

To ensure the enforcement of the directive, special X-Squad teams of the force have been deployed to arrest, investigate and discipline any offending party.

The statement read, "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.

"Consequently, 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 Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Border patrol of the Force is specifically directed to ensure compliance with this directive along the Border routes in the country except for the few approved points by the Federal Government.

"Furthermore, police personnel who involve in vehicular patrol on highways and major roads across the country must wear on their uniforms a bold name tag and service number.

"The Special X-Squad teams of the Force have been deployed throughout the country, they are under strict instructions to arrest, investigate and discipline any Police personnel violating this directive."

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The IGP also placed a ban on illegal blockage and obstructions on highways and roads, created by unlawful revenue or tax collectors, road transport unions, labour and trade-related unions.