Eight policemen arrested for illegal roadblocks, improper dressing

August 22, 2012 by Mudiaga Affe, Calabar 

Eight riot policemen were on Tuesday arrested in parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states for illegal roadblocks and improper dressing.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, had on assumption of office inaugurated a new Police Mobile Force to arrest and institute disciplinary measures against policemen found mounting illegal roadblocks.

A PMF team led by the Commander in charge of Ethics, Doctrine and Monitoring, Mr. Anietie Eyoh, arrested three errant policemen in Uyo and five in Calabar.

Two riot policemen, who abandoned their beat at the National Independent Power Plant to mount illegal checkpoint along the Calabar-Itu Expressway, were arrested while two others were picked up for improper dressing at the MOPOL 11 Command, and one outside in another part of Calabar.

Also, at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, another riot policeman was arrested for violating the rules on escort of VIPs stipulating that the security personnel must not be less than two in number.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Mbu Mbu, said suspects would undergo in-house trial and if found guilty shall be punished.

He said, “We have our departmental disciplinary procedure. The IG made a pronouncement that had to do with dress code, that they must be combat ready at all times. These are the things that we are now trying to enforce. 2

“We have forwarded the signals to all field commanders and have given them enough time so that the men would conform to the directive.”

SOURCE:  The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper 2 August 2012.