Robberies: We’re ready, says Lagos CP

Police and other security agencies have promised to provide adequate security for Lagos State residents.

The state Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, said this during a “show of force” with other security agencies such as the Army, Air Force, Navy and the Department of Security Service (DSS).

The security agencies embarked on confidence building patrol across the state over the threats from the criminal gang known as One Million Boys.

The areas visited by the security chiefs arre Ikeja, Mangoro, Iyana-Ipaja, Agege, Dopemu, Ojodu, Berger, Ogba, Abattoir, Oshodi, Mushin, Lawanson, Surulere, Orile, Bode Thomas, Sabo, Ejigbo, Aguda, Ijesha, others are Ago Okota and Festac.

Others are Ejigbo, Ikotun, Idimu, Igando, Kofo Abayomi,  Ajah, Ilaje, Langbasa, Adeniji Adele, Ebute Ero, Apapa, Ajengule, Tolu, Amukoko, Ijora Badia and Layeni.

It was learnt that about 800 of the suspected hoodlums were arrested, while 40 firearms of different types were also recovered from them across the state.

Odumosu and other security chiefs addressed the residents of the various communities in English, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa Languages.

The police chief reassured the people of the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies in the state to protect their lives and property.

He, however, advised residents to shun rumour mongering and the spreading of  fake news. The commissioner described the allegations on social media that One Million Boys were planning to attack some communities in Lagos State as baseless.

He said: “The command under my watch has in the last four months incapacitated the gang and other criminal elements in the state with the arrest of over 800 suspects and recovery of over 40 various categories of firearms.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, said on assumption of duty as the police boss, Odumosu launched a special operation known as Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants with a mandate to identify the various cults and gangs in the state, isolate them and bring them to justice.

He said: “The operation, which was intelligence-driven, took the battle to their doorsteps, targeted their top hierarchy and dealt decisively with them. The war against cultism and gangsterism requires a collective approach.

“The commissioner of police calls on community leaders, traditional rulers, religion leaders, landlords’ associations to support the ongoing onslaught on criminal elements in the state and urges parents to monitor the activities of their children and wards and ensure that their children are not recruited into any criminal gang.

“On the spontaneous creation of vigilante groups by youths in various communities, the CP said though, it is one of the principles of community policing for citizens to participate in policing their local communities, it has to be monitored and controlled by the police for quality assurance.

“Such vigilante groups must conduct themselves in a way that their activities would not create more tension and panic,  as witnessed in the manner some of them were in the last few days seen displaying dangerous weapons and burning tyres. Their conducts are creating more panic and in some instances, residents assumed them to be armed robbers and gangsters.

“In order to address this gap, community leaders and landlords’ associations, among others, are tasked with the responsibility of vetting the youth the communities trust enough to participate in policing their neighbourhoods. The Neighbourhoods Watch initiative must be strictly monitored and controlled.”

Meanwhile, In his remarks, the Air Force Commander said the Chief of Air Staff had graciously deployed Air Force helicopters to join the police helicopters initially deployed for aerial surveillance by the police.

Both the Air Force  and police helicopters were seen hovering around and providing air supports to the Special Forces on ground.  (New Telegraph)