By Adewole Kehinde
“At the end of the day, the goals are simple: safety and security,” – Jodi Rell
Kaduna State is one of several states in northwestern and central Nigeria terrorised by criminal gangs, locally known as bandits, who raid villages, kill and abduct residents, and burn homes after looting them.
On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, there were reports of the abduction of scores of people by suspected bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
On the same day, the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassan, admitted in a statement that there was a heavy gun duel between security operatives and bandits who attempted to cross the Kaduna-Abuja highway at the Dogon Fili area heading towards the Jere axis on January 6th, during which some of the bandits escaped with bullet wounds.
He explained that during the gun battle, six people plying the highway sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention. But he said nobody was kidnapped by the bandits, as wrongly reported in some sections of the media.
Since the advent of social media, almost every one of them has turned “journalist” by reporting anything their phones can capture as “breaking news.”.
On Thursday, January 11, 2024, I was excited to read from the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has implemented robust measures to enhance safety and security in the region.
“Recognising the paramount importance of securing this critical transportation artery, the IGP has intensified deployments of police officers and security paraphernalia, leveraging advanced technology and strategic resources to bolster the overall security infrastructure along the route, ACP Adejobi said.
To show the great importance of the IGP to the situation, he directed the DIG Operations, DIG Ede Ayuba Ekpeji, on strict supervision of the personnel detailed for operations along the route and reiterated that the proactive step aims to reassure citizens and travellers of their safety, as the increased presence of security forces in the region will act as a deterrent to criminal activities.
In addition to the robust security arrangements put in place by the IGP, he has also put in place some other strategies aimed at ensuring adequate security on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway through a combination of proactive measures and effective collaboration with other security agencies.
Here are some of these measures:
Intelligence Gathering: Utilising intelligence gathering techniques to identify and preempt potential criminal activities such as kidnappings, robberies, and other security threats on the expressway.
Community Engagement: Engaging with local communities and stakeholders along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway to gather information, build trust, and obtain support for security initiatives.
Use of Technology: Leveraging modern surveillance technology, such as CCTV cameras and drones, to monitor and respond to security in real-time.
Increased Patrols: The IGP has deployed more officers and patrol vehicles along the expressway to deter criminal activities and provide a visible presence to reassure road users.
Checkpoints: Strategically positioned checkpoints have been established to conduct thorough checks on vehicles and persons, thereby preventing illegal activities and apprehending suspects.
Collaboration with other Agencies: Working closely with other security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to coordinate efforts and share information for comprehensive security coverage.
Training and Capacity Building: Continuous training and capacity building for police officers to enhance their skills and capabilities in handling security challenges on the expressway.
In a matter of days, the police will ensure and maintain adequate security on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, ultimately creating a safer environment for travellers and commuters.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846. E-mail: kennyadewole@gmail.com
