The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the immediate dismantling of all road blocks and checkpoints in various states across the country.

In a statement released by the spokesman of the Force, Moshood Jimoh, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris said all officers are to comply with the directive with immediate effect.

The statement further added that the timely instruction was issued to facilitate free movement of businessmen and women as well as the easy transportation of goods and services.

“IGP Ibrahim Idris has ordered the dismantling of all road blocks nationwide with immediate effect, particularly on the following routes, Lagos – Ibadan, Shagamu – Benin, Benin – Onitsha, Okene – Abuja, Kaduna – Kano, Katsina – Kano, Otukpo – Enugu, Enugu – Port Harcourt Express Ways.

“The directive became necessary to enable ease of. doing business in Nigeria, safeguard and guarantee free passage of goods and travellers throughout the country. To this end, no police department, section, squad or unit should mount roadblocks without the express permission of the Inspector General of Police.

“Consequently, Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, Heads of Departments, must ensure that every patrol vehicle in their respective formation carries a conspicuous and legible inscription of patrol vehicle identification number, and dedicated emergency phone numbers for ease of identification and report of distress by members of the public.” the statement read.

The statement added that all police officers on patrol must put on their full uniforms to allow for the proper viewing and easy identification of their names and identification members.

The IGP further advised all relevant State and Local Government Councils, Boards of States Internal Revenue Service, Transport Unions, Labour and Trade Union Associations to desist from blocking, restricting or restraining members of the public from the free usage of roads and highways across the country except for the few approved points by the Federal Government.

Citing section 2(2) of the Taxes and Levies Act, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004, Idris also directed the special X – Squads to embark on the removal of others forms of illegal blockage and obstructing on highways created by unlawful revenue/tax collectors, road transport unions and trade unions inhibiting the free movement of people, goods and services.

Even as motorists and passengers have frequently accused the Police Force of using such blockades to extort money from road users, the directive may escalate the recent cases of armed robbery and kidnappings especially on some of the afore-mentioned roads.