Works Minister Dave Umahi has proposed the expansion of the Federal Highway Patrol into a robust security department.

He canvassed the use of regulated private security outfits for VIP protection as part of measures to strengthen security on major road corridors across the country.

Umahi spoke in Abuja while receiving the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, at the Ministry of Works headquarters yesterday.

Umahi suggested to Disu that the Federal Highway Patrol could be strengthened through fresh recruitment and sustained with proceeds from road tolling.

He said: “The Federal Highway Patrol can be expanded and made very robust because you don’t have enough police.

“So it can be a very serious department where you can recruit people. And then we are tolling most of these routes, so we can sustain that very special department with thousands of police-trained people.”

The minister also proposed a framework under which private security outfits would handle VIP protection under the supervision of security agencies.

“My idea is that we can approve private security outfits that will be seriously under the training and recruitment of security agencies,” he said.

According to him, such firms would operate under close police monitoring while generating revenue for the government and reducing pressure on conventional policing.

“If a big man wants 100 protection personnel, he will have to apply. Fifty per cent will come to the Federal government, and 50 per cent will go to the company.

“This is going to be very important. It will also bring funds to the coffers of the Federal government and relieve the police from such stress,” the former governor of Ebonyi State said.

On the debate over State Police, Umahi cautioned against possible abuse and called for strong federal oversight. “It is a very good idea, but it has to be crafted very well so that the federal government will retain overall supervision of state police when it comes,” the minister advised.

He commended security agencies for supporting the ongoing infrastructure projects in the country, particularly in areas facing security threats.

“For example, the President wanted to finish the 120km by two, making 240km of three lanes each in Sokoto this year. But we’ve encountered a lot of security challenges, and without your assistance, it would have been difficult to forge ahead,” he said.

Umahi also defended the Federal Government’s borrowing for infrastructure development, describing roads as critical to economic growth and national security.

“The president is borrowing so that our roads can be good. Without roads, it is difficult for security agencies. Without roads, it is difficult for commerce to thrive,” he said.

He disclosed that the government had begun integrating security infrastructure into major highways, including CCTV systems, solar lighting, observation centres and patrol facilities.

According to him, Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kano, Enugu-Onitsha, Mararaba-Benue and Eleme-Onne roads are among corridors earmarked for enhanced security architecture.

“We are kicking off with one major route in each of the geopolitical zones,” he said.

Umahi also praised President Tinubu for what he described as efforts to tackle insecurity and improve infrastructure nationwide.

“I want to commend Mr President very highly for his efforts in fighting insecurity in the country. Fighting crime is the job of everybody,” he said, while urging citizens to support security agencies with information.

Earlier, Disu called for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Works to improve security infrastructure along highways.

He said the purpose of the visit was to assure the Ministry of police support for ongoing road projects.

“We want to synergise with you. We want to work with you better. We notice that as you work along the roads, you will need security presence, and we are ready to do our jobs to assist,” the IGP said.

Disu said the police were proposing dedicated security infrastructure along highways, including designated checkpoints, patrol stations and drone surveillance facilities.

“We need police presence, kilometres upon kilometres along the highway. By the time you are done, we should have special checking points on the road.

“Areas specially designated for police officers to do proper checking of vehicles and people plying the road, as it is done everywhere in the world,” he said.

The Police chief also requested patrol and armoured vehicles for operations on strategic road corridors, saying, “At the same time, we need a lot of patrol vehicles, even armoured vehicles. We are pleading with you to do that for us.

“And we give you our word that vehicles provided will be dedicated to patrols and operations on that road.” (The Nation)