Why police can’t vacate checkpoints — IGP

The Nigeria Police Force cannot afford to eliminate checkpoints, according to acting Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun.

He also said that checkpoints are vital components of visibility policing and essential to the efficient policing of modern Nigerian society.

Along with their deployment, the Monitoring Unit and X-Squad agents were mandated by the police chief to work with senior officers in charge of conducting extensive evaluations of important checkpoints along motorways.

Egbetokun reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to bringing responsibility and order to the country’s highways and police operations.

He also added that the NPF is committed to bringing sanity, upholding order, and fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities it serves.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated this in a Wednesday night correspondence.

Adejobi said, “Recognising the importance of safe and efficient road networks, the IG 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.

“Responding to the concerns raised about indiscriminate checkpoints that may disrupt the flow of traffic and/or encourage any inappropriate behaviours of officers on the roads and inconvenience citizens, the IG reaffirmed that 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.

“The IG stated emphatically that though such checkpoints and other operations may occasionally create inconveniences, they are aimed at achieving anti-crime goals. He appealed to the public to cooperate with the operatives for the greater good while assuring that the supervisory officers have been charged to lecture and supervise their men to uphold the principles of decency and dignity in all operations, which include fostering a respectful and professional demeanor among officers and men as well as optimising the use of technology and intelligence to enhance operational efficiency.”

Egbetokun further encouraged citizens to share feedback, experiences, and suggestions with the police and expressed the resoluteness of the NPF in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of every individual traversing the country’s highways, while urging members of the public to always cooperate with the police and other security agents on operations.