The Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at improving security on highways and protecting critical road infrastructure across the country.
This was the focus of a working visit by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and his delegation to the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja, where discussions centred on enhancing security around ongoing road projects and deepening inter-agency cooperation.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing road infrastructure development across the six geopolitical zones, noting that the administration remained committed to safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring safer highways nationwide.
According to a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed on Tuesday, Umahi said the success of the Federal Government’s ambitious road development agenda depended significantly on the support of security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police, in protecting project sites, workers, equipment, and installed infrastructure such as solar panels, streetlights, batteries, CCTV systems, and reinforced road medians.
The Inspector-General of Police described roads as critical to national unity, economic growth, commerce, tourism, and public safety, adding that improved road networks could also contribute to crime reduction by expanding economic opportunities for citizens.
Disu explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Works to improve transportation safety and security along federal highways.
He noted that several ongoing road projects had attracted national and international attention because of their economic and tourism potential, while pledging that the police would intensify security presence along major highways and strategic project corridors nationwide.
The IGP also requested logistical support from the Ministry to strengthen the operations of the Police Highway Patrol Unit amid increasing incidents of vandalism and theft of road infrastructure across the country.
Responding, Umahi described the IGP as a disciplined and professional officer whose leadership had continued to boost public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
The minister disclosed that the Ministry had begun incorporating modern security features into major infrastructure projects, including surveillance systems, observation facilities, rest stations, and collaborative response mechanisms with security agencies.
He further proposed the integration of dedicated police security architecture into highway development plans through the establishment of security checkpoints, patrol bases, and operational centres along major road corridors and construction sites.
Umahi also highlighted the ongoing Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects and other strategic infrastructure developments across the country, stressing that no geopolitical zone had been excluded from the Federal Government’s infrastructure agenda.
According to him, the administration is deploying reinforced concrete pavement technology on several strategic roads to ensure durability and long-term value, with many roads designed to last for decades with minimal maintenance.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, also commended the police leadership for its commitment to national security, noting that enhanced collaboration between the Ministry and security agencies remained crucial for protecting workers, communities, and infrastructure along project corridors.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Rafiu Adeladan, expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen cooperation between the Ministry, the Nigeria Police, and other security agencies in safeguarding critical national infrastructure.