IGP should clear roadblock off Ibadan-Ago-Iwoye road

In what is now considered a routine on the ascension of any new Inspector General of Police, the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Mr Abubakar Adamu also commanded the removal of all police roadblocks in the country on January 15, 2018

However, just about a week after that welcome development, I was on a trip from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State to Ibadan, the Oyo State and met a daunting defiance of that order.

In a trip of about an hour, I encountered six police roadblocks by officers of both Ogun and Oyo State Commands, including one by the Counter Terrorism Unit of the force.

As it has now become a norm for commercial drivers, the driver of the 14-seater bus I boarded had to pay a bribe of N100 at each point.

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Of course, protest wasn’t an option for the driver but immediately we were a distance away, he rained curses on the officers. Reasons are obvious, a passenger pays a fee of N500 but the driver has to pay as much as N600 for doing nothing other than going about his usual business.

The effects, too are not farfetched. First is the reduction in the ease of doing business which leaves a negative impact on the economy. Second is the increase in the probability of and occurrence of harassment. Third in a country hoping to conquer the monster of corruption, this situation is heavy drawback.

I hereby appeal to the Inspector General of Police to take urgent action on the ongoing mess daily witnessed between Ago-Iwoye and Ibadan as well as all Nigerian roads.

Olumurewa Olubela

Ibadan.