The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has stated that the order banning the setting up of police road-blocks nationwide is still in force.
The immediate past IG of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, had placed an indefinite ban on mounting of road-blocks nationwide by policemen. But there are reports that the checkpoints, sometimes used to harass and extort bribe from motorists, are beginning to resurface.
But in a statement on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, the acting IGP had re-issued directive to all commands and formations to dismantle all road-blocks and ‘permanent’ checkpoints.
“The IGP warned that all semblances of police road-blocks and permanent check-points reportedly re-emerging in some parts of the country, especially in the South-East, South-South and South-West geo-political zones of Nigeria should immediately be dismantled.
“The IGP who described the trend as a serious violation of subsisting order on road-blocks warned that severe sanctions await any command, formation or personnel that violate the order”, the statement added.
The IGP was also quoted to have charged State Commissioners of Police and heads of formations to ensure total compliance with the order.
In place of road blocks, the Mr. Abba had ordered extensive visibility patrol and effective surveillance on roads nationwide.
