Roadblocks: 38 policemen, FRSC officials face trial

No fewer than 38 policemen and eight Federal Road Safety Corps officials are facing orderly room trial for defying acting Inspector-General’s directive for the dismantling of roadblocks across the country.

Mr. Mohammed Abubakar on February 14 ordered that all intra-state checkpoints be removed, regretting that they were being used by many policemen to extort money from motorists.

The officers were said to have been apprehended in different parts of the country for defying the order and setting up roadblocks to extort money.

Our correspondent learnt that the errant officers were arrested by the committee on anti-corruption set up by the Force Headquarters to ensure compliance with the IG’s order.

The officers, who are being detained in various police stations nation-wide, may be dismissed if found guilty.

A breakdown of the arrests showed that four policemen were arrested on the Warri-Sapele Road; six at Anambra-Nkwule Junction and five at 9th Mile, Enugu and four at Abia State.

Also, eight FRSC personnel were arrested in Akwa Ibom State and at East-West Road, Bayelsa State while four policemen were arrested in Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom State as another four were picked up at Itokim Bridge.

Three policemen were arrested at Itowolo Point; four at Owode Onirin, Lagos State and four at Okene Road, Lokoja, Kogi State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olusola Amore, said the committee on anti-corruption would arrest policemen defying the order.

Abubakar had lamented that extortion had created an image crisis for the police, vowing to save the situation.

He had said, “All squads, teams or any other investigating outfit operating under whatever name are hereby dismantled with immediate effect and they are to be under the original structures recognised by police standards.

“All intra-state and highway roadblocks which constitute nuisance especially on the roads of Lagos, Edo and South-East states should also be dismantled immediately.”