Following the ongoing strike in Kaduna, acting police inspector general Usman Baba has ordered the deployment of additional operatives and crime prevention assets to the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

Force spokesman Frank Mba in a statement on Monday in Abuja said Mr Baba’s order was to ensure public safety on the ever busy highway. 

Organised Labour in Kaduna commenced a total shutdown of services to push against the sacking of workers by the Governor Nasir El-Rufai led government among other anti-labour infringements.

Essential services such as electricity and railway were cut out in the strike which began on Monday.

Mr Baba confirmed that the deployment followed the disruption of other means of transportation in the state, occasioned by the strike embarked upon by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

According to him, the directive is a proactive measure to protect communities and travellers in anticipation of increased traffic on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

The acting IG said that the idea was to enhance police visibility, prevent and neutralise possible criminal activities targeted at citizens plying the road.

He also directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in zonal and state commands with jurisdiction straddling the Kaduna-Abuja highway to rise up to the task.

“The AIGs and CPs are to ensure that no new threat to lives and property thrive within their area of responsibility as a result of the industrial action,” he said.

Mr Baba said that the AIGs in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau had been directed to immediately deploy covert operatives from the Intelligence Response Team and the Special Tactical Squad.

He said that the deployment was to prevent any untoward situation along the expressway.

The police boss pledged the commitment of the force to continue to do all within its power to promote public safety.

He urged citizens, particularly communities, transporters and commuters on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway to cooperate with security operatives deployed to their area.

He said that citizens were also enjoined to be vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or criminal activities in their localities to the police.

(NAN)