Police Tightens Security Around Onitsha As FG Closes First Niger Bridge
The Police Command in Anambra has commenced a coordinated security and traffic management operation as the Federal Ministry of Works closes the first Niger bridge for maintenance.
The Police are leading the operations in collaboration with sister security agencies for the 14 days the iconic bridge will be closed to traffic.
CP Nnanna Oji, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra led heads of other security agencies and strategic partners security commanders on an on-the-spot assessment of the bridge, adjoining areas and identified diversionary routes on Monday.
Ama said the assessment was aimed at identifying potential security, traffic and public-safety challenges that would likely arise from the closure.
He said the Command had deployed a Police-led Joint Security Team to strategic locations around the bridge, diversionary routes and other critical points to maintain security, support effective traffic management and prevent criminal elements from exploiting the situation.
“The deployment is specifically targeted at ensuring safe, orderly and unhindered movement of motorists, commuters and pedestrians, while preventing traffic obstruction, congestion, harassment, opportunistic criminality and other security breaches.
“All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders within the affected areas maintain heightened operational alertness, intensified patrols and sustained visibility, while ensuring seamless coordination with sister security agencies throughout the period of the maintenance works.
“We want to reassure residents, motorists, commuters and businesses that the Command will continue to closely monitor developments around the affected routes and respond promptly to emerging security or traffic challenges,” he said.
The CP urged members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with security and traffic personnel, obey diversionary routes, traffic directives and promptly report suspicious persons, activities or security concerns to the nearest security formation.
“The Command remains fully committed to maintaining public safety, securing critical infrastructure and ensuring the free flow of human and vehicular movement throughout the period of the bridge closure,” he said.
