The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, has said the state command will reduce the multiple checkpoints along Lagos Badagry Expressway.

Mr Fayoade said this during a familiarisation visit to Area K Command of the Nigeria Police Force along Oko-Afo, Badagry, Lagos, on Saturday.

He said that the multiple checkpoints were creating negative impact and bad image for the country.

“I will look into the police checkpoints on the expressway and reduce them.  The reduction will not affect security in the area,” he said.

The CP, however, said that security agencies were not the only ones manning the checkpoints.

He said, “You will see individuals, Agbero, NURTW and others. Everyone is guilty. We cannot continue to condemn only the security agencies because all of us are involved. Let us also caution our sons who block the roads to collect money. It is not good for our country. Everyone wants to make money, I’m a son of the soil here, they must give me tax. ‘I am the owner of the land, they must pay tax’. This is common here. Please let us talk to our children and people engaging in this kind of attitude to stop it.’’

Mr Fayoade also urged traditional rulers in Badagry to talk to the sons because the majority of checkpoints were created by youths in the area.

He said, “Let them go out and engage themselves in something that will bring peace and development to the country. They should get involved in activities that will project the image of the country.’’

Mr Fayoade commended local government chairmen for supporting the command to fight crime.

The CP added, “I want to plead that this support should continue. It should be further enhanced so that we can keep our area secure and safe from hoodlums, miscreants, robbers and kidnappers. I want to assure you that most of your complaints will be tabled before the Inspector-General of Police and necessary actions will be taken.’’

In his speech,, the Commander, Area K Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adeleke Smith, said the command had 11 divisions of the police to ensure a safe and secure society.

Mr Smith also commended the chairmen of local governments for their cooperation and support.

He stated, “We appreciate the people of Badagry for their understanding and accommodating the police. We also appreciate the local government chairmen within Badagry division for their unhampered support of the Nigerian Police Force and the Commissioner of Police.”

Meanwhile, some traditional rulers in Badagry earlier registered their complaints of policeman not wearing their uniforms on the highway.

The Onimeke of Imekeland, Oba Olatunji Ogabi, said that the behaviour of some police officers on the highway was unbearable, urging the CP to look into the matter.

Also, Chairman, Badagry Local Government, Olusegun Onilude, called on the commissioner to reduce the number of police checkpoints along the expressway.

Mr Onilude said that the unnecessary delay and waste of time caused by the checkpoints had made tourists to abandon the coastal town.

Also, a traditional leader, the Oniwoko of Iworoland, Oba Olu Kosoko, urged the CP assist in ensuring the building of a police station in the area, adding that the town, being the headquarters of a Local Council Development Area, has no police station.

The traditional rulers from different towns in Badagry attended the meeting.

Also present were leaders of security agencies including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army and the State Security Services. 

(NAN)