IG warns against illegal motor parks

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has advised transport unions to streamline their operations to enable them to regulate and curb illegal motor parks in the country.

Idris gave the advice when the National Executive Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) visited him in Abuja.

He added that operating different parks by different transport unions was a hindrance to effective park management.

The IGP said that if all transport unions could eliminate illegal park, eradicating criminal activities at parks would be a lot easier.

“We are trying to regulate motor parks; in some places you have RTEAN and in other places you have NURTW; this has made the management of these parks more difficult.

“If you can meet to streamline motor parks among yourselves, then it will be easier to regulate these parks.

The I-G, however, said that he would direct Commissioners of Police in states to cooperate with the union in checkmating crime and illegal motor parks in the country.

Earlier, Alhaji Najeem Yasin, the NURTW National President, said that the visit was to build on the existing cordial relationship between the union and the police.

He identified illegal motor parks as a major challenge and a threat to the security of lives and property in the country.

Yasin, therefore, appealed to the I-G to assist in eradicating illegal loading and off-loading at non-designated parks in the country.

“We wish to appeal to you to assist us to eradicate all forms of illegal loading and off-loading at non-designated parks and to ensure the closure of all illegal parks in the country.

“The activities of these illegal park operators include kidnappings, ritual killings and even insurgency.

“I wish to appeal to the I-G to direct the various state commands to extend their cooperation to our state chapters to enable us to contribute our quota towards making Nigeria crime free.”

Yasin commended the I-G on his resolve to reposition the police force to be responsive to the yearnings of Nigerians.