IGP orders immediate restructuring of security on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, after briefs from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo CPs

*Says Police Force not insensitive to security challenges along road axis

*As he promises operational support to affected states

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has taken steps to address unfortunate security issue that reared its head along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, after taking briefs from Commissioners of Police of the three states, of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo, connected by the all-important road.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made this known in a statement he issued in Abuja on Tuesday and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER.

According to the statement with Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.4/198. and dated November 15, 2022, the Police chief dismissed insinuation of Nigeria’s foremost security agency’s insensitive to security challenges along the road axis, even as he promised operational support for the three states concerned.

“Consequent upon the briefs of the security situation on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway from the Commissioners of Police in charge of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo State Commands, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, has ordered an immediate restructuring of the security architecture on the expressway to provide adequate deployment of officers and assets to ensure the protection of lives and property along the expressway and forestall kidnappings and other ugly incidents thereon.

“The IGP similarly emphasized that the Police Authority is not insensitive to the prevailing security challenges on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, but has rather been engaged with charting a path towards decimating the security issue and strategically eliminating the threats along the expressway; hence the on-the-spot assessment of the black spots along the way by the CPs Ogun and Oyo on the directives of the IGP for enhanced safeguard of the expressway.

“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, pledges adequate operational support in form of technology-based and tactical operational assets for the Commissioners of Police in charge of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo, and Heads of tactical operational units in the area to combat the current trend of crimes and criminality on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

“In the same vein, the Inspector-General of Police has therefore called on well-meaning Nigerians, particularly road users, hunters, community leaders, and other stakeholders who ply the route to constantly expose known criminals who terrorize innocent Nigerians along the route and within adjoining communities to the Police and other security agencies for immediate arrest and prosecution,” CSP Adejobi said.