Bomb detectors installed at public motor parks in Lagos

Bomb and metal detectors are being installed at public motor parks in Lagos State for screening of vehicles going into the parks.

Passengers using any of the public motor parks, especially those for inter-state travels, will also have their luggage screened.

State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Union, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede, said this at a press conference in Lagos on Monday.

The forum was also used to present members of a new task force raised by the union.

The installation of bomb detectors at the park  came some weeks after some people were killed when bombs exploded at a luxury bus park in Sabon Gari, Kano State.

Luxury bus operators had also in a recent petition to the Presidency requested a 24-hour police protection at the Kano motor park and other parts of the country where they were operating.

Agbede said the security measures were taken to further protect the lives and property of passengers, drivers and other users of the motor parks in Lagos.

He said the task force had been empowered to ensure strict compliance with the screening directives and other security arrangements.

He said, "They are to make sure that all vehicles entering the parks are screened with metal and bomb detectors already provided.

"They are also mandated to screen all bags and luggage to avoid any unpleasant situation."

According to Agbede, the security measures have been put in place in line with the agreement reached with the State House of Assembly on issues of security and environmental sanitation at various motor parks in the state.

"At one of our meetings with the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, I did promise that our union would put in place measures to boost security in motor parks to avoid recurrence of the incident in Kano State motor park where members of Boko Haram sect bombed the park, resulting in the death of many people," he said.

The union leader also said the task force had been directed to remove all abandoned vehicles from the various parks in the state.

"The essence of the task force is to complement the efforts of security agencies," Agbede said.

He therefore asked them to hand over arrested suspects to law enforcement officers.

He also urged the task force to eradicate the sale and drinking of alcohol at motor parks.