Checkpoints have resurfaced in Yobe State, in compliance to the nationwide “stop and search” directive by the Inspector General of Police aimed at checking the activities of dissident Boko Haram members.
A visit to most check points in Damaturu metropolis and along the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway by Channels Television’s team, revealed that some checkpoints have reappear to contend with the wave of attack by the dreaded sect members.
Although the checkpoints were relaxed initially as directed, they have fully reappeared shortly after the counter-directive by the Police boss to take care of the situation in the security-threatened north-eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
Residents seem to be pleased with the development, with a call on the new Security Chiefs to bring in more security personnel that would help solve the insecurity problem bedeviling the region.
Residents in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, expressed the belief that if the security operatives would remain professionally committed to their operation, the rate of terrorists’ attacks would be tackled.
The presence of more troops on major highways and crannies within Yobe, according to them, would go a long way in checking the movement of arms, explosive devices and the terrorists group.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Toyin Gbadegesin, said “since the order was given, there was immediate compliance with the directives, as the Police have also moved in with lots of other measures to ensure that there will not be an adverse effect of such change”.
He said about 500 patrol vehicles had been received by the Yobe Command to ensure frequent surveillance within the security threatened states.
According to him, the recent measure of establishment of checkpoint across Nigeria was a change of strategy for better results.
