The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reaffirmed its commitment to protect lives and properties across the country during the forthcoming yuletide especially along highways and intercity roads.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the assurance on Monday during a news conference in Abuja, noting that the force was ready for the task ahead.
Adejobi said that the force realises that Nigerians based abroad would troop into the country for the yuletide, so providing security in several communities was imperative.
“The force has deployed security on major highways particularly in the south east geo-political zone, to forestall kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“We have made strategic deployment across the country and such is not to intimidate anybody.
“The deployment is to ensure that all routes, major highways and communities are safe,” he said.
He clarified that the force does not have roadblocks in the country, but initiated stop-and-search points, nipping points among others.
“Roadblocks with woods, drums among others are must have been at the request of state governors.
“No police command will mount roadblocks without the consent of the state governor.
“There are some states where governors have requested or sought permission of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to mount such roadblocks,” he said.
The force spokesman said that the force has initiated complaint response platforms and numbers urging Nigerians to make use of them.
He dismissed allegations that some senior personnel set target for their officers to raise money at their duty posts.
“We have briefed our officers to do their jobs and it is likely that some defiants would do such.
“When you see them misbehaving on the roads, please report to the police.
“We have however, not given you sticks to beat our operatives for us, just report their misconduct and we would do the needful,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news conference was jointly organised with the Strategic Communication Inter Agency Policy Committee (SCIPC) and Office of the National Security Adviser