Funke Busari, Lagos
A total number of 889 suspected armed robbers were arrested in Lagos between January and August.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu when the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 paid him a visit at Command Headquarters in Lagos.
During the visit, the State Police boss revealed that Junior Police officers will soon be resting their heads in houses provided by well meaning Nigerians.
He was briefing the Assistant Inspector-General, AIG, Zone 2, AIG Johnson Kokumo during his familiarisation visit to the Command.
Odumosu said the command was embarking on the construction of 50-bed space accomodation.
The CP said the command got resources from law-abiding and willing individuals, associations and stakeholders for the 50-bedroom project.
The police boss said the project became necessary in view of the accommodation problem faced by his personnel, stressing that any police posted to Lagos command henceforth, will have a place to stay.
Baring his concerns too, the AIG stressed that traffic situation in Lagos, human rights and professionalism in conducts of police officers are close to his heart even as he applauded the Lagos State government for providing the logistics to curb security challenges in the State.
AIG Kokumo charged the CP and his men to rise to carry out “Operation Keep The Traffic Moving”, hinting that traffic was also responsible for some robbery incidents in the state.
He urged the officers and men to rise early to check traffic build-up in their respective areas, promising that Ogun and Lagos will have a joint patrol to tackle the robbery situation at their border towns, particularly, on the long bridge of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
He warned them against corruption, indiscipline and civil matters, stressing that criminal cases were enough to engaged the officers and men.
AIG Kokumo, also commended the CP, officers and men of the command for reducing crimes in the state but urged them to do more.
Giving the breakdown of suspect arrested, the CP said that 490 suspected armed robbers and 297 suspected cultists were arrested at different parts of the state during the period, stressing that no personnel of the command was killed within same time.
Odumosu said that 173 assorted arms, 239 ammunition of various calibrea were also recovered from the suspects.
He said 42 cars stolen by criminals were recovered within few days of theft and were subsequently handed over to their owners.
Kokumo assured the CP that his request for logistics will be tabled before the IGP.
Kokumo also commended the Lagos State government for providing the logistics, calling the state government for more.
He commended the Lagos State police command for the training and the 50-bedroom project for junior officers.
