The Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, has ordered the immediate dismantling of road blocks in the South-east.

The absence of police officers from the ubiquitous checkpoints became noticeable on Tuesday when they were not seen at points where they usually extort money from motorists. Their absence was later explained by Hafiz Abubakar Ringim, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 9. Umuahia, who told the press that Mr Onovo had ordered that all checkpoints in the zone be dismantled.

Wide criticism

Mr Ringim said that the removal of the checkpoints was a major decision of the police headquarters and that it has to be absolute, stressing that it was because of the pressure from members of the public who had been asking the police command to remove them from the roads.

He said “people have been complaining that some police men have been using most of the road blocks and checkpoints to extort money from motorists” and have sustained the pressure for their dismantling, adding that with the directive from the police national headquarters, they have to be dismantled.

He said that in place of the road blocks and checkpoints, the police will now introduce the use of patrol vans on all the roads that need the attention of the police, adding that it will make for quicker response of the police to crime.

He assured that the police would not stop the patrol of those roads, to check the activities of hoodlums.

“In the place of the road blocks and checkpoints, we are using patrol vans which will be stationed at strategic places across the zone and they will be there to respond to crime calls and also check security flash points when necessary,” he said.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5613933-146/onovo_orders_removal_of_checkpoints_.csp

Right step in the right direction, as they sometimes shoot drivers that refuses to pay. Hope it extends to other zones of the federation.

Did they combat crimes when they were on the road?

MrPrsdent:

The Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, has ordered the immediate dismantling of road blocks in the South-east.

The absence of police officers from the ubiquitous checkpoints became noticeable on Tuesday when they were not seen at points where they usually extort money from motorists. Their absence was later explained by Hafiz Abubakar Ringim, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 9. Umuahia, who told the press that Mr Onovo had ordered that all checkpoints in the zone be dismantled.

Wide criticism

Mr Ringim said that the removal of the checkpoints was a major decision of the police headquarters and that it has to be absolute, stressing that it was because of the pressure from members of the public who had been asking the police command to remove them from the roads.

He said “people have been complaining that some police men have been using most of the road blocks and checkpoints to extort money from motorists” and have sustained the pressure for their dismantling, adding that with the directive from the police national headquarters, they have to be dismantled.

He said that in place of the road blocks and checkpoints, the police will now introduce the use of patrol vans on all the roads that need the attention of the police, adding that it will make for quicker response of the police to crime.

He assured that the police would not stop the patrol of those roads, to check the activities of hoodlums.

“In the place of the road blocks and checkpoints, we are using patrol vans which will be stationed at strategic places across the zone and they will be there to respond to crime calls and also check security flash points when necessary,” he said.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5613933-146/onovo_orders_removal_of_checkpoints_.csp

it should be nationwide

If there is no check point again, what of pin down, stop and search, black spot raid and the rest? Accidental discharge nko? Lives can still be lost carelessly. What is desirable is a disciplined, professional police.

The fact remains that for all the posturing,I.G Onovo with all due respects has little control over the police force. . . . . .