Blockage Of Lokoja-Abuja Highway –Minister orders establishment of Police Posts at Jamata Bridge
Press Release  Wed Jan 4,2011

Olubolade:Police Affair minister

Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade has directed the Inspecctor General of Police to immediately two police posts at both ends of the Murtala Muhammed bridge at Jamata along the Lokoja - Abuja highway.He has also directed that all police officers on special duties must be adequately catered for in terms of feeding and provision of logistics like transport and communication gadgets.The Minister who gave the directives during an unscheduled visit to the Federal Capital Territory Command Headquarters in Abuja, said the establishment of the police outposts by the bridge is to forestall the incessant resort to disruption of traffic on the highway by disgruntled elements.

 According to him, the recurrent blockage of the Lokoja - Abuja highway by those he  described as  hoodlums and misguided members of the society has always disrupted free flow of traffic, thereby causing untold hardship to commuters and creating the enabling environment for criminal activities to  thrive. This, he said, has become a source of embarassment for the government and therefore can no longer be allowed to continue.

Also in reaction to questions and comments by officers and men of the Command, the Minister also said it was morally wrong to post police officers on guard duties and expose them to vagaries such as hunger and lack of operational vehicles, communication gadgets, arms and ammunition to protect themselves and combat crimes at the posts.He therefore directed that henceforth, all policemen on such duties, especially those providing security on the highways, must be adequately fed by the police authorities in order to exact full service delivery from them, saying "to whom much is expected, much should be given".

The Minister who was moved by tale of woes presented by the Life Camp Divisional Police Officer over lack of operational vehicles, instantly donated one of his official vehicles, a Toyota Hilux Pick-Up to the Division and  promised that the reform programme for which budgetary provision has been made this year, will address all such issues to a great extent.The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Mike Zuokumor while receiving the Minister had earlier told him that in spite of the obvious Inadequacy of operational facilities, his men have

been up and doing and appreciated the efforts of the Minister to reposition the Force for better performance.He also commended the Minister for taking time to see things for himself at the lowest level of the police Force. This, he said would give him the opportunity to appreciate the conditions under which they operate.At the Zone 7 Command Headquarters, Olubolade reiterated government determination to improve the welfare, training and equipment of police officers to meet the current challenges which have posed a serious threat to national peace and unity and commended their loyalty and dedication to duty even in the face of daunting challenges.