Monday, 22 September 2014

Ban on roadblocks still in force

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has stated that the order banning the setting up of police road-blocks nationwide is still strictly in force.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, on Sunday in Abuja, said Abba described the trend as a serious violation of subsisting order on road-blocks and warned that severe sanctions await any police command, formation and personnel who violates the order.
While charging the Commands’ commissioners of police and heads of formations to ensure total compliance with the order, the IG further directed extensive visibility patrol and effective surveillance on the roads.
It said, “The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba,has stated unequivocally that the order banning the setting up of Police road-blocks nationwide is still strictly in force.
“In a directive issued to all Commands and Formations of the Force, the IG 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.”
Meanwhile, the Force has expressed its resolve to work assiduously for the enthronement of genuine peace in the nation.
In a statement to mark the World Peace Day, the Nigeria Police Force said it understands the dislocation and trauma that happen to families, homes, cities and businesses in the event of disturbances, as peace officers and front-liners in the drive for a peaceful world.
It promised to train more officers on conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation, adding that its Family units and Juvenile Welfare centres would be reinvigorated to cater for the needs of hurting family members, widows, orphans, displaced persons and the vulnerable.
The Force said, “The Police will pay more diligent attention to early warning signs and improve response time to crises and distress calls.
“The Ag. Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, urges all citizens to embrace peace at all times, and to assist law enforcement agents in the preservation and maintenance of peace nation-wide.”