The Nigeria Police Force says it plans to deploy more regular police officers to State Traffic Division in all states’ commands for effective traffic control
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.
Adejobi was reacting to the declining number of traffic wardens in the country.
He acknowledged that the number of traffic wardens officers had reduced drastically, saying there was the need to deploy regular police officers to the STD of each state command to boost traffic management.
The police spokesman added that officers to be deployed would undergo some training in traffic management to prepare them to work with traffic management agencies in states.
Adejobi said: “Traffic Wardens Service Officers are not phased out.
“It is just that they are few in number.
“The traffic wardens and regular police officers belong to the NPF and they are working together.
“In Lagos State, we have more than 2,000 regular police officers attached to STD headed by a Chief Superintendent of Police.
“The officers are serving under Areas, Divisions and States Commands.
“The State Traffic Management Agency is also working with them.
“The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, is already working on improving the welfare of traffic wardens.
“He has ordered the assessment of officers as part of the pre-condition for promotion to their next ranks.”
Adejobi pointed out that the Traffic Wardens Officers ranking differs from that of regular officers .
He added: “The commitment of the I-G in ensuring proper career progression in the Nigeria Police Force is evident through the establishment of a transparent promotion system, emphasis on training and capacity building, provision of professional development opportunities, and promotion of a conducive work environment.
“These initiatives collectively empower officers to reach their full potential, enhance their capabilities, and contribute effectively to the safety and security of the nation.”
Adejobi said that there was also plan to review the law that created traffic wardens within the NPF, stressing that at the end of the review, wardens would be better off.
A reliable source had told NAN that there was a decline in the number of traffic wardens in Lagos State because no new officer had been recruited in recent years.
The source said that some of the older ones either retired by age or service years, while some voluntarily left the service due to poor remuneration.
NAN further reports that the Traffic Warden Service was established in 1975 as a section of the Nigeria Police Force, charged with the task of discharging functions in connection with the control and regulation of or the enforcement of the law relating to road traffic under the direction of the police.