By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Oyo State Police Command has restructured its security apparatus around Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to forestall further attacks on commuters by kidnappers.
Stonix News reports that armed maruaders have been killing and kidnapping travellers along the highway in the past two weeks with the latest incident reported on Tuesday.
In a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Oyo State Police Command, SP Adewale Osifeso, travellers and commuters plying the expressway were enjoined to go about their day-to-day activities without any form of fear of molestation.
He quoted the Oyo State Police Command, CP Adebowale Williams, as re-affirming the command’s “commitment to leave no stone unturned in ridding the State and its surrounding environs off undesirable criminal elements.”
The statement reads in part:
“Today, Thursday 10/11/2022 in the company of his Ogun State Counterpart, CP Lanre Bankole psc and in a bid to proactively forestall future criminal occurrence along the highway, both Commissioners embarked on a strategic assessment patrol and eventual deployment of assets around areas concerned.
“Consequent upon the above, the Security Architecture of both Commands were also deliberately remodeled with cooperation from adjoining State Police Commands to deal decisively with criminal elements whose mindset is to use both States as a criminal hideout after being dislodged.
“In furtherance of the above, the good citizens of Oyo State are advised not to panic or agitate as adequate deployment of tactical and operation assets would be seen swarming the axis and embarking on; joint intelligence-led surveillance, aggressive patrols with adjourning states, combing of forests alongside local hunters and vigilantes and permanent visibility policing measures intensified along the busy highways.
“In addition, private and public users of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway are encouraged to go about their day to day activities without any form of fear of molestation or harassment from unscrupulous elements as adequate security measures in its topmost capacity are on ground.
“While cooperation with the Police in exchange of credible and timely information is encouraged, the CP enjoins the good people of Oyo State to eschew crime and criminality at all times.
“In cases of emergency, the Command can always be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 615 (toll free) (OYO STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND), and Oyo State Police Command emergency lines 07055495413 and 08081768614.
“The NPF rescue me app is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and I phone users respectively.”
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