The Inspector-General
of Police, Ibrahim Idris has ordered the deployment of three helicopters
to carry out aerial surveillance of the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The action followed the closure of the Abuja airport and the diversion
of planes to the Kaduna airport.
The police boss also directed that 300 personnel be on duty on the road
to escort and protect air passengers from Kaduna to the Federal Capital
Territory.
The Force spokesman, Donald Awunah, who disclosed this to our
correspondent on Friday, explained that the new security arrangement was
meant to complement ‘Operation Maximum Security’ which was in place on
the highway.
He assured the passengers of adequate security on the road because the
operational strategy in respect of the highway had been released.
Awunah explained that the operation would be coordinated by the Deputy
Inspector-General in charge of Operations, Joshak Habila.
He said, “In addition to Operation Maximum Security already in place on
the road, the IG has made additional security inputs. There will be
about three helicopters on patrol and additional 300 personnel.
“The buses provided by the airport authorities will be escorted by
security operatives. Other security services are involved, so there
would be inter-agency patrols and increased intelligence through
collaboration with the local communities around the area. The operation
would be coordinated by the DIG Operations. There is an operation order
on it.”
The Abuja-Kaduna expressway had recorded high levels of kidnapping,
including the abduction of the Sierra-Leonean Deputy High Commissioner
to Nigeria, Maj.-Gen. Alfred Nelson (retd.), in July, 2016.
Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye
Oyeyemi, has said eight additional commands would be set up along the
Abuja-Kaduna Road.
He said the essence was to ensure free flow of traffic, following the
closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and diversion
of aircraft to the Kaduna Airport.
He added that more patrol vehicles and personnel would also be deployed
the area to ease the gridlock that may arise on account of expected
increase in vehicular volumes on the road.
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