Senate urges IGP to reduce checkpoints on Fed highways

Sanni Onogu, Abuja

The Senate on Thursday urged Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu to scale down the number of checkpoints on Federal highways across the country.

It also advised Adamu to direct officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to stop alleged extortion of motorists during stop-and-search operations on the roads.

The Senate noted that a reduction in road blocks had become necessary to reduce the gridlock on the nation’s highways.

These were among the resolutions of the Upper Chamber yesterday, following the consideration of a motion by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North).

Utazi, coming under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, in his motion, titled: National Security Versus Disproportionate Road Checkpoints on Federal Highways in the Country, said the nation’s security architecture had been stretched beyond limits.

The senator said criminal acts had put untold pressure on national security, making it necessary for security agencies to confront breaches headlong.

Utazi noted that the imposition of road checkpoints on almost all federal highways across the country became necessary.

The senator said while road blocks are necessary to curb criminal activities, its abuse for unintended purpose is reprehensible.

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He added that senators “will not renege in our responsibilities when the masses of this country complain that government policy meant to protect them has been turned into an oppressive conduct by those concerned and which the IGP and people of his ilk may not be aware of”.

Also yesterday, the Senate referred President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for the confirmation of the appointment of the Chairman and members of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to its Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan referred the request to the committee after plenary began yesterday.

The nominees for screening and confirmation are: Zikrullah Olakunke Hassan, Chairman (Osun State, Southwest); Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa, Executive Commissioner – Operation, Inspection and Licensing; Nura Hassan Yakassai, Executive Commissioner – Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (Kano State, Northwest) and Sheikh Momoh Suleman Imonikhe, Executive Commissioner – Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library (Edo State, Southsouth).

Part-time members are: Halimat Jibril (Niger State, North Central); Abba Jato (Borno State, Northeast); Garba Umar (Sokoto State, Northwest); Ibrahim Ogbonnia Amah (Ebonyi State, Southeast); Sadiq Oniyesaneyene Musa (Delta State, Southsouth) and Akintunde Basirat Olayinka (Ogun State, Southwest).

Representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are: Shehu Dogo, Ministry of Aviation; Nura Abba Rimi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Rabi Bello Isa, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Zainab Ujudud Sherrif, Ministry of Health; Aminu Bako Yarima, Nigeria Immigration Service and Ibrahim Ishaq Nuhu, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).