Following serious threats by kidnappers on Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, the Nigeria Police Force has beefed up security on the route.
The Oyo and Ogun States commands have deployed men to patrol the road.
There have been serious security threat by kidnappers on the route, fueling speculations that terrorists have come on board on the route.
There have been panic,fear and apprehension by motorists and their passengers since the abduction of some passengers, including students of a higher institution, and a professor on the road. The recurring reports of kidnapping and other security challenges along the 131 kilometre road made the two commands to declare state of emergency on the axis.
Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adewale Osifeso,in a statement on Thursday said that Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Williams, has vowed to rid the area of undesirable criminal elements.
CP Williams in company with his Ogun state counterpart, Mr. Lanre Bankole, on Thursday undertook strategic assessment patrol along the highway and deployed personnel and assets to forestall further attack.
He said both commands have also restructured the security apparatus around Lagos-Sagamu-Sapade-Onigari axis.
“The security architecture of both commands were also deliberately remodelled with cooperation from adjoining state police commands 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 because of the enhanced presence of security personnel and equipment in the area.
The spokesman said there would be joint intelligence-led surveillance, aggressive patrols, combing of forests alongside local hunters and vigilante members and other permanent visibility policing measures.
He urged the public to provide the police with timely and credible information on suspected criminals around them.
