Senate To IGP: Reduce Checkpoints On Federal Highways

BY GRACE ANYANWU, ABUJA – The Senate on Thursday urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to as a matter of urgency reduce the number of checkpoints on Federal Highways in the country.

The Senate said its appeal became necessary in order to reduce the gridlock on the roads.

It therefore called on the IGP to direct officers of the Police Force to eschew all forms of extortion on motorists as alleged, while carrying out stop and search to establish validity of vehicle particulars.

These were part of the resolution were reached following the consideration of a motion brought to the floor of the Senate by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North).

In his motion titled; “National Security versus Disproportionate Road Checkpoints on Federal highways in the country”, Utazi said that the National Security architecture of Nigeria has been stretched beyond its elastic limits.

He noted that acts of criminalities have put untold pressure on the country’s national security architecture, necessitating and compelling security agencies to confront security breaches headlong.

Utazi said that as a consequence, the imposition of road checkpoints on almost all federal highways in all geo-political zones of Nigeria, adding that while road blocks are necessary to curb criminal activities, its abuse for unintended purpose is reprehensible.  

He urged the Senate not to renege in its responsibilities when the masses of the country complain that government police meant to protect them have turned into an oppressive conduct by those concerned and which the IGP and people of his ilk may not be aware.