The Anambra State Police Command has heightened security around the First Niger Bridge and designated diversionary routes following the temporary closure of the bridge to vehicular traffic for scheduled maintenance works.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, September 7, 2026, saying Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, personally led the heads of sister security agencies and other strategic commanders on an on-the-spot assessment of the bridge and adjoining areas.
According to Ikenga, the assessment covered the bridge, surrounding areas and identified diversionary routes, with the objective of identifying potential security, traffic and public-safety challenges that could arise from the closure.
He said the Commissioner subsequently ordered the deployment of a Police-led Joint Security Team to strategic locations around the bridge, diversionary routes and other critical points.
The deployment, Ikenga said, is aimed at maintaining security, supporting effective traffic management and preventing criminal elements from taking advantage of the situation.
He added that security personnel had been tasked with ensuring the safe, orderly and unhindered movement of motorists, commuters and pedestrians while preventing traffic obstruction, congestion, harassment, opportunistic criminal activities and other security breaches.
Ikenga said CP Nnanna Oji Ama had further directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders in the affected areas to maintain heightened operational alertness, intensify patrols and sustain security visibility throughout the maintenance period.
The Commissioner also directed the commanders to maintain seamless coordination with sister security agencies to ensure a prompt response to any emerging security or traffic challenges.
According to the police spokesperson, the Command would continue to closely monitor developments around the affected routes and take necessary measures to protect residents, motorists, commuters and businesses.
The Command urged members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with security and traffic personnel, comply with designated diversionary routes and obey traffic directives.
Ikenga also advised members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons, activities or security concerns to the nearest security formation.
The Anambra State Police Command said it remains committed to protecting critical infrastructure, maintaining public safety and ensuring the free flow of human and vehicular movement throughout the period of the First Niger Bridge closure.
