Egbetokun: Police have taken steps to rid highways of criminal elements

Kayode Egbetokun, the acting inspector-general of police (IGP), says the force has taken steps to check insecurity on highways, particularly the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.

Egbetokun spoke on Wednesday at the Lagos police command in Ikeja where he inaugurated some projects, including the complainants’ response unit (CRU).

The unit will allow the publicto make complaints and seek redress as individuals and groups against police misconduct and human rights abuses.

He said the police have taken different measures to ensure that crime is reduced to the barest minimum across the country.

“Since I came into office, we have taken steps to do a number of things to ensure crime is reduced to the barest minimum and security restored to troubled areas,” he said.

“On the Abuja-Kaduna road you are talking about, we have taken necessary steps to rid it of criminal elements that were terrorising motorists.

“Very soon, you are going to be seeing results. We are embarking on the establishment of a special intervention squad (SIS). We have started mobilisation to make a success of it.”

Egbetokun said the SIS would soon become operational in the states that have been chosen as pilot areas.

Speaking on the CRU, he said the essence is to create a conducive platform of interaction between the police and the public, particularly on the unprofessional conduct of the officers.

He noted that the unit is not established to witch-hunt any police officer but to promote accountability in the system.

“It is going to enhance police-community collaboration and build confidence with members of the public,” he said.

He appealed to the public to supply the police with credible information, adding that the force would also show transparency to get the needed cooperation from the citizens.

“Today, we have launched the CRU aimed at promoting transparency in the police,” he said.

“At least, now, members of the public who have complaints against the police have a place to lodge their complaints.”

He assured Nigerians that the force would make the CRU functional in all the states.

“Lagos state has started. We just inaugurated that one today. We inspected the facilities and they are excellent,” he added.

“Officers that would be deployed to man the CRU will be carefully selected – officers with impeccable integrity.

“They will be well motivated, with opportunities for training overseas, if necessary.”