Kidnapping: Police beef up security on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Following a resurgence of criminal activity along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the police commands in Oyo and Ogun States have increased security along the route.

According to Track News, there have been repeated reports of kidnappings and other security issues along the 131-kilometer road.

SP Adewale Osifeso, the Oyo state police spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday that Commissioner of Police Adebowale Williams had vowed to rid the area of undesirable criminal elements.

On Thursday, Williams and his Ogun state counterpart, Lanre Bankole, conducted a strategic assessment patrol along the highway and deployed personnel and assets to prevent further attacks.

He added that both commands have restructured the security apparatus around the Lagos-Sagamu-Sapade-Onigari axis.

“The security architecture of both commands was also purposefully redesigned with cooperation from neighboring state police commands in order to deal decisively with criminal elements.”

“Whose mindset is to use both states as criminal hideouts after being dislodged.”

He advised the citizens of the states not to panic due to the increased presence of security personnel and equipment in the area.

The spokesman stated that there would be joint intelligence-led surveillance, aggressive patrols, forest combing with local hunters and vigilante members, and other permanent visibility policing measures.

He urged the public to provide police with timely and credible information on suspected criminals in their midst.