Rivers State Police Commissioner directs dismantling of unauthorized checkpoints

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, led a statewide inspection of police checkpoints on Monday, ordering the immediate removal of unauthorised roadblocks on highways, as part of efforts to enforce the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

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The operation aimed to ban extortion, illegal roadblocks, and misconduct by police officers, with Adepoju speaking during the exercise at the Rivers-Imo boundary, stating that the inspection was aimed at ensuring officers on highway patrol complied with approved policing standards.

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Adepoju urged operatives to refrain from actions that disrupt the free flow of traffic or bring the image of the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute, as he disclosed that the number of checkpoints along the Imo boundary had reduced significantly.

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The few illegal roadblocks encountered during the inspection were dismantled immediately, with Adepoju saying, “We have directed that nobody should block the road, officers should position themselves strategically and carry out stop-and-search operations without obstructing traffic.

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He noted that compliance had been encouraging so far, and with sustained monitoring, things would get even better, as the monitoring exercise was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.

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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, had ordered Commissioners of Police across the country to ensure that officers on duty were properly dressed, wore visible name tags, and refrained from extorting members of the public.

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Adepoju warned that officers found violating the directive would face disciplinary measures, adding that operatives who reported for duty without proper uniforms or name tags had already been identified for appropriate action.

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According to him, those who were not properly dressed or whose name tags were not fixed to their uniforms had had their particulars taken and would be referred to their commanders for disciplinary action at the headquarters.

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The CP explained that routine inspections remained an essential responsibility of police leadership to ensure that officers under their command performed their duties professionally and in line with the operational guidelines of the Force.

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While noting that the enforcement exercise would be sustained, he said commanders and heads of departments had been directed to intensify supervision of officers under their jurisdiction.

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Adepoju also called on members of the public to cooperate with officers carrying out legitimate stop-and-search duties, emphasising that police presence on highways was aimed at safeguarding lives and property.

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He advised that if anyone encountered an officer who misbehaved or attempted to extort them, they should report such conduct through the phone numbers made available on social media and other platforms, including the Police Public Relations Office and the control room.

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The inspection covered checkpoints along the East-West Road corridor in Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Areas of the state, with the commissioner being accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department.

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The commissioner was also accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mobile Police Squadron Commanders, heads of tactical units, and Divisional Police Officers.

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The development comes amid ongoing efforts by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to enforce compliance with directives aimed at eliminating unauthorised checkpoints, extortion, and harassment of motorists across the country.

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Police authorities have consistently maintained that while officers are permitted to carry out legitimate stop-and-search operations, such duties must not involve roadblocks or cause unnecessary hardship for road users.