The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chris Olakpe

  • LASTMA officials can arrest offenders, impound vehicles, says CEO

    LAGOS State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials can arrest erring motorists and  impound their vehicles, the agency’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chris Olakpe, clarified yesterday.

    Olakpe, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), was reacting to reports that the officials did not have such powers.

    He spoke while receiving in his office, members of the Humanitarian Voluntary Association for Community Development, who came to condole with him over the death of 18 LASTMA officials in the line of duty last year.

    Olakpe said the laws also stipulated penalties for neglect of traffic directions and disobedience of traffic control personnel.

    The LASTMA boss said: “One thing the people must know is that the purpose of laws in any state is to regulate human conduct and punish violators, to ensure safety and sanity on the roads and at the same time regulate the function and authority of traffic personnel.”

    LASTMA’s findings, he said,  showed that gridlock was caused by the unusual driving behaviour of some motorists, adding that it was important for the public to cooperate with traffic officers while on the road.

    Instead of taking the law into their hands, motorists should take advantage of LASTMA’s open-door policy by reporting any erring officer, he said.

    REad also: Taxi driver speeds off with hit LASTMA official

    Olakpe said : “From January to date, over 30 traffic officials have been brutalised by ill-tempered motorists. As an agency, we owe it to our officials and their families the responsibility of ensuring their security and safety while performing their duties,” he said.

    He said LASTMA would work with sister agencies and the public to deepen collaboration and cooperation and protect traffic officials.

    The vehicle of any motorist, who proved to be an agent provocateur, Olakpe said, would be impounded and taken to LASTMA yard  in accordance with the law.

    The LASTMA CEO said his men would soon begin another training on civility, politeness and protocol of arrest with emphasis on respect for the public.

    He said measures had been put in place to reduce gridlock during Easter and beyond.

    The group’s president, Bankole Odunuga, acknowledged the sacrifice and courage displayed by LASTMA officials, despite the hazards of the job.

     

  • itel Mobile sensitises tricycle operators on road safety measures

    Africa’s mobile phone giant, itel Mobile in Lagos, has launched a Keke Napep campaign to sensitize the public and commercial tricycle drivers popularly known as Keke Napep on the dangers of texting, answering call with one a hand while driving.

    The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative tagged “LOVE ALWAYS ON”, is the customer-centric smartphone maker’s drive to prioritize its community’s needs and ensure a safer traffic environment and reduce road-related tragedies.

    A statement made by Oke Umurhohwo, Marketing Communications Manager, itel mobile, said that the number of road accidents in Nigeria has been on a steady increase with distracted drivers who divert attention from the road, usually to talk or text on their mobile phones, becoming one of the leading causes of road accidents.

    According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), no fewer than 2,598 Nigerians died in road accidents between October 2017 and March 2018. In response to this growing concern, itel Mobile joined hands with LASTMA to sensitize drivers on safe driving and road maintenance through physical demonstrations, interactive courses on driving safety, visual aids, and donations such as reflective jackets and caution stickers.

    READ ALSO: Itel rewards communities

    Speaking at the occasion, Umurhohwo, said that itel Mobile position as Africa’s leading customer-centric brand which provided smartphones for everyone has always been in the forefront of raising awareness on social issues that affect everyone, “Irrespective of class, location or any other factor, and road safety is one of them. We aim to engage in activities that ensure safer behavior, especially safe driving, to help drivers understand the intricacies and unpredictability’s of driving as accidents can happen in a brief moment.

    “The one day campaign which was refreshed by Pepsi Nigeria had over 30 tricycles (Keke napep) drive around Ikeja axis to spread awareness on safety.

    The event was graced with the presence of notable dignitaries such as AIG of Police, Chris Olakpe; CEO of LASTMA, Hon. Engr. Mojeed Balogun; Executive chairman, Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Joseph Olu-Odunsanya; Lagos state chairman, TOOAN (Tricycle Owners Operators Association of Nigeria), CSP Titilayo Oriyomi Oluwasanmi; State Traffic Officer, Lagos State, and itel mobile management staff.

    Some of the Keke at the event

     

  • Buhari’s visit: LASTMA lauds motorists’ compliance with traffic instructions

    Mr Chris Olakpe, Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( LASTMA ), has lauded the orderliness demonstrated by motorists during the official visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

    Olakpe gave the commendation in an interview with our reporter on Friday, saying that he was impressed with the motorists’ orderliness throughout the duration of the president’s visit.

    He said majority of the motorists complied with the directions and adhere to the official instructions during temporary restrictions on some major roads in Lagos on Thursday.

    “We appreciate the level of compliance of the motorists during the president’s visit to Lagos State; our officials and personnel of Nigeria Police Force really ensured there was steady movement of vehicles despite restrictions to some areas.

    “About 1,000 LASTMA officials were deployed to various routes to maintain free flow of traffic during the visit, from Ikeja axis up to Lagos Island to ensure orderliness in the city,” he said.

    Olakpe appealed to the drivers, especially the commercial bus drivers, to maintain orderliness and obey the traffic rules and regulations during the Easter festivities.

    Olakpe also urged motorists plying Agege, Iyana-Ipaja, Cement along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, to exercise patience as the ongoing road reconstruction would soon be completed.

    He also appealed to motorists to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic officials to ensure or.derliness and free flow of traffic on the roads.

  • LASTMA gets 1,400 new officials to curb Lagos gridlocks

    LASTMA gets 1,400 new officials to curb Lagos gridlocks

    In a bid to curb traffic gridlocks on Lagos roads, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Sunday said it has engaged over 1,400 new graduate traffic managers.

    LASTMA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Olakpe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the new officials were trained on effectiveness traffic management within Lagos metropolis.

    Olakpe said that various orientation and training programmes were undertaken for LASTMA officials on traffic control and management to ensure professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

    “The trainings are ongoing to capture the old officials within the state to blend with the newly recruited graduates.

    “About 1,400 new officials were recently recruited and trained to bring improvement, discipline and curb gridlocks within the state.

    “We have about 4,250 LASTMA officials to ensure free flow of traffic on various routes in Lagos State,” he said.

    The LASTMA boss said that the officials were trained on protocol of arrest, surveillance and traffic management.

    Olapke added that there were various disciplinary departments at the agency to punish any official who is found wanting in the line of duty.

    “We have departments and sections that deal with discipline like provost marshal’s office, surveillance and monitoring unit and LASTMA complaint units.

    “All these sections are in position to deal with any official who disobey the rules and regulations of the authority,” he said.

    NAN reports that eight LASTMA officials were on Aug. 14 sacked for receiving bribes.

    The LASTMA chief executive said that the authority had been working assiduously to reduce gridlocks in Apapa and its environs.

    He said that the agency had established “Operation Keep Traffic Moving’’ to ease gridlocks in Apapa and other parts of the Lagos metropolis.

    “LASTMA has been assisting in the movement of traffic in Apapa by trying to streamline traffic; it has been doing its best to reduce the gridlocks being experienced in the area,” he said.

  • Two police commissioners promoted to AIGs

    Two police commissioners promoted to AIGs

    •Four other officers dismissed

    THE Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the promotion of Mr. Chris Olakpe and Grace Chita Okudo from the post of Police Commissioner to Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIGs).

    Also, seven Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) were promoted to the substantive rank of Commissioners of Police. They are: Victor N. Ojo; Elias Okafor Wayemeru; Paul E. Okafor; Henry Adebayo Fadairo; Stella P. Udosen; Felicia O. Noelle; and Ovie Votenisky Oyokomino.

    A statement yesterday by the Assistant Director (Press and Public Relations) of the PSC, Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe, said 12 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) were elevated to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCPs).

     

    Also, 21 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) were promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) while 27 Superintendents were promoted to Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs).

    The commission also elevated 15 Deputy Superintendents to Superintendents (DSPs), while 129 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) were elevated to the rank of Deputy Superintendents.

    Twenty Police Inspectors were promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs).

    But the commission announced the dismissal of two Superintendents of Police – Nyong Enefiok and Offu Ukereke.

    Also, Deputy Superintendent Eteng Bassey and Assistant Superintendent Mohammed Usman Kashim were dismissed.

    The statement added that an ASP was compulsorily retired for offences against police disciplines.

    Six officers were reduced in rank, 10 were severely reprimanded, while others were reprimanded or issued letters of advice.

     

     

     

  • Police promote two CPs to AIGs

    …  Dismisses four officers

    The Police Service Commission has announced the promotion of Mr. Chris Olakpe and Grace Chita Okudo from the post of Commissioner of Police to Assistant Inspector General of Police.

    Similarly, seven Deputy Commissioners of Police were also promoted to the substantive rank of Commissioners of Police.

    They are – Victor N. Ojo; Elias Okafor Wayemeru; Paul E. Okafor; Henry Adebayo Fadairo; Stella P. Udosen; Felicia O. Noelle; and Ovie Votenisky Oyokomino.

    A statement issued by the Assistant Director (Press and Public Relations) of the PSC, Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe added that 12 Assistant Commissioners of Police were also elevated to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police.

    Also, 21 Chief Superintendents of Police were promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police while 27 Superintendents were promoted to Chief Superintendents of Police.

    The Commission also elevated 15 Deputy Superintendents to Superintendents, while 129 Assistant Superintendents of Police were elevated to the rank of Deputy Superintendents.

    20 Police Inspectors were promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Police.

    However, the Commission announced the dismissal of two Superintendents of Police, Nyong Enefiok and Offu Ukereke. Similarly, Deputy Superintendent Eteng Bassey and Assistant Superintendent Mohammed Usman Kashim were also dismissed.

    The statement added that an ASP was compulsorily retired for offences against police disciplines. Six officers were reduced in rank, 10 were severely reprimanded, while others were reprimanded or issued Letters of Advice.

  • Police dismiss rape suspect

    Police dismiss rape suspect

    •Corporal to stand trial

    Police Corporal Damudu Pzigu of the 13 PMF Makurdi, Benue State, who allegedly raped a minor in Jos last week has been dismissed.

    Plateau State Police Commissioner Chris Olakpe broke the news yesterday while parading the suspect and others at the command’s quarterly briefings in Jos.

    Olakpe said: “Preliminary investigation shows that the corporal has questions to answer and he has to do that in a court. So he has been dismissed, he is no longer a member of the Nigeria Police Force.”

    The mobile police officer attached to the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis was arrested last week by the STF commander, following the allegation that he raped a four-year-old girl in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    The minor was allegedly lured by the officer on the pretence that he wanted to send her on an errand.

    Pzigu denied the allegation.

     

  • Curfew in Plateau

    The police in Plateau State have imposed a curfew on the state to ensure a peaceful conduct of the council election.

    The council election will hold today and the curfew is from 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

    Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Peter Dalyop said elections would not hold in Jos North and Wase local governments for security reasons.

    Police commissioner Chris Olakpe said: “The long-awaited local government election is coming up on February 25 and the police command has placed preventive and proactive strategies to ensure a hitch-free poll.

    “Part of the strategies is that there will be restricted movement. Within the period of the curfew, there should be no movement of people and vehicles, except those on essential services or on election-related services.

    “Travellers and motorists should avoid passing through the state within the period, as the curfew also affects inter-state transportation.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • 16 died in Plateau, say police, STF

    16 died in Plateau, say police, STF

    The Plateau State Police Command and the Special Task Force (STF) have confirmed 16 persons dead in Monday’s attack on Shonong Village in Riyom Local Government Area.

    Commissioner of Police Chris Olakpe, who addressed reporters in Jos yesterday, said nine bodies were recovered from the scene while seven others were burnt beyond recognition.

    “The figure we have at the police level is nine bodies, which have been collected and deposited in the mortuary; seven other bodies charred beyond recognition have also been prepared for burial. About 20 houses were razed,” he said.

    Olakpe said the number of persons injured was still being collated.

    He said the attack would have been more devastating, but for the prompt intervention of the police and men of the STF.

    The police chief said no arrest was made but assured that the police would ensure that the criminals were arrested.

    The commissioner said the state command was collaborating with the Kaduna State Police Command.

    According to him, the command was devising new strategies to check the spate of attacks in Plateau’s rural communities.

    “We are going to take some strategic actions to ensure more presence of policemen in the hinterland.

    “We are going to bring out new partnership with traditional rulers in particular, so that they will be part of the security apparatus,” Olakpe said.

    Olakpe appealed to the people to report any suspicious characters within their communities.

    The STF, in a statement by its spokesperson, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, also confirmed nine dead, seven burnt and five injured.

    The statement said the injured were taken to Vom Christian Hospital.

    According to the statement, normalcy has returned, with the STF personnel patrolling the area.

    “The STF Commander, Maj.-Gen. David Enetie, accompanied by the Interim Administrator of Riyom Local Government, were on the scene for an on-the-spot assessment,” it said.

    It said the public should disregard conflicting reports on the casualty figures and assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

  • Police, STF confirm 16 die in Plateau attack

    The Plateau State Police Command and the Special Task Force (STF) on Tuesday confirmed 16 persons dead in Monday attack on Shonong Village in Riyom Local Government Area of the state.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, who addressed journalists in Jos, said that nine dead bodies were recovered from the scene while seven others were burnt beyond recognition.

    “The figure we have at the police level is nine persons dead bodies that have been collected and deposited in mortuary; seven other bodies charred beyond recognition that have also been packaged for burial.

    “About 20 houses were razed down,’’ he said.

    Olakpe said the number of persons injured in the attack was still being collated.

    He said the attack would have been more devastating if not for the prompt intervention of the combined efforts of the police and men of the STF who repelled it.

    He said that no arrest had been made but assured that the police had spread its dragnet on Kaduna axis to ensure that the criminals were arrested.

    The commissioner assured that the state command was collaborating with the Kaduna State Police Command to arrest the attackers.

    According to him, the command was devising new strategies to check the spate of attacks in rural communities in Plateau.

    “We are going to take some strategic actions to ensure that more movement of the policemen to the hinterland will be effected as early as possible.

    “We are going to bring out new partnership with traditional rulers in particular, so that they will be part and parcel of the security apparatus.

    “So, we can talk with them and whenever they see people who come into their communities, they will be able to tell us who those characters are.

    “We are going to partner more deeply with the traditional rulers and the youth of the communities so that we will be able to fish out the miscreants,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Olakpe as saying to journalists on Tuesday.

    The Commissioner appealed to the people to report to any security agent any suspicious characters within their communities.

    The STF in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, also confirmed nine dead bodies, seven charred bodies and five injured.

    The statement said the injured persons were taken to Vom Christian Hospital.