The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Hakeem Odumosu host his maiden press briefing on Wednesday at the Police Command, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
In his opening remark the Lagos Police boss expressed his gratitude to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu Abubakar “let me use this medium to thank the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, NPM, mni for given me the opportunity to pilot the affairs of the Command. I assumed duty as the 36th Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command on 14th November 2019”.
“The last 55 days were quite eventful and tasking for us. The first major challenge I met was traffic gridlocks in different parts of the state which has a strong link with traffic related crimes such as traffic robbery” asserted by the Lagos CP.
“As a strong believer of problem solving approach, teamwork and stakeholders’ engagement and participation, I summoned an emergency meeting of all Area Commanders, Area Operation Officers, State Traffic Officers, Divisional Traffic Officers and Traffic Officers in the Command”.
“We collectively identified the major causes of traffic congestions in the affected areas and agreed on workable solutions. Because of the urgency the situation presented, I declared a state of emergency on traffic and followed it up with the deployment of additional 1000 Police Officers for traffic duties. We equally reviewed their reporting and closing time to 10am and 10pm against the initial 6am and 6pm so as to meet up with traffic peak periods. I had a meeting with other stakeholders in security and traffic management where we agreed on multi agencies collaborations”.
Odumosu further stated that “the Command, with the support of Lagos State Government deployed 200 Motorcycles to various parts of the state for traffic control and to also combat the menace of traffic robbery. We took a step forward by reintroducing the Mobile Court system to prosecute traffic laws violators. This was done with the support of Lagos State Judiciary and Ministry of Justice Lagos State. Our mantra remains ‘Traffic must flow in Lagos State’.
“The Operations successfully prosecuted 75 traffic violators and impounded 75 vehicles. Among the offenders, 28 were arrested for driving against traffic (one way) while the rest were arrested for indiscriminate parking and causing obstructions by clubbers and customers of some factories. From the feedbacks received from citizens and eminent personalities in the State, it is gratifying to state that, the traffic situation is improving on daily basis. That also informed the free flow of traffic and zero traffic robbery incident experienced during the yuletide period. In order to consolidate on the gains recorded so far, additional one thousand personnel are being injected into the operation”.
The Lagos CP also highlighted the issue of cultism and gangsterism. He noted that “Cultism and Youth gangsterism is another security problem we focused our resources on. We have observed the activities of those cult groups and gangs for the last two months and have gathered credible intelligence about them”.
“The various cult groups and gangs identified within the state include: Aiye and Eiye confraternities, One million boys at Ajengule, Fadeyi boys at Fadeyi area, Akala boys at Mushin area, Nokia group at Surulere area, Shitta boys at Bariga, Oworonshoki, Shomolu and Palm grove areas, Awawa boys at Dopemu, Agege, Ogba and Iyana Ipaja, Ijesha boys and Aguda boys at Surulere”.
“We have reviewed our strategies and have initiated far reaching approach to totally eradicate this menace. I have launched a Special Strike Force on social miscreants to effectively combat those miscreants who have chosen the wrong path of life. We are taking the fight to their door steps, we are all out for them. We will fish them out, isolate them and bring them to justice. We are battle ready to uproot every cultist den and hideouts until they are totally defeated”.
Odumosu also send warning signal to the cultists and their parents “let me therefore, use this medium to sound a warning to members of those gangs and cult groups to either renounce their membership or be prepared to face the full weight of the law. This is a promise. And to parents and guardians of those youths, my message is simple, monitor the activities and movements of your children and wards and make sure that their mission on the public space are legitimate otherwise, they should steer clear”.
The Lagos Police boss also unveiled the Lagos State Police Command plan for 2020 “Our Policing plans for 2020 includes:
• Full implementation of Community based policing policies and strategies that will close the gaps between the police and the people, foster cordial relationship and build strong and effective partnerships.
• Visibility policing and prompt response to distress calls
• Intelligence led policing approach, professional and unbiased investigation of criminal cases and diligent prosecution.
• Respect for and protection of human rights and zero tolerance for corruption.
• Multi agencies collaboration
• Capacity building for Officers and Men of the Command and enhanced welfare package”.
“Let me use this medium to appreciate the Government and the good people of Lagos State for their support to the Command” he asserted.
CP Odumosu who recently led the team that rescued a Corp Member abducted at Epe published by Lagos Panorama 3rd December and also led the response team that arrested the killer of Gildas Tohouo the late wife of the Managing Director of Maersk Line, a multinational shipping company, also published by Lagos Panorama 11th of December used the press briefing to highlights some of the achievements under his command as the Commissioner of Police since assumption of duty in November.
He stated that “It is worthy to note that, crime rate in Lagos State has drastically reduced within the period under review. From November 2019 to date, the Command arrested 114 armed robbery suspects and successfully foiled 72 armed robbery attempts”.
“7 armed robbery suspects died during exchange of fire with the Police. 46 suspects were arrested for cultism. 3 suspects were arrested for kidnapping and 82 suspects were arrested for murder. The state recorded 9 cases of suicide. 25 assorted firearms with lots of ammunition of different calibre were recovered. The Command also recovered 11 stolen vehicles”.
“2,300 Motorcycles were impounded during enforcement of Lagos State Traffic Laws: A total of two thousand, three hundred (2,300) motorcycles were impounded, from recalcitrant commercial motorcyclists across the State, between 18th November and 31th December, 2019. All the motorcycles impounded were handed over to Taskforce in Oshodi, for further action. Meanwhile, the exercise is being intensified”.
“447 suspects were arrested during raids of criminal hideouts: Acting on credible intelligence, the Command raided some criminal hideouts, uncompleted and abandoned buildings in different parts of the State. A total of four hundred and forty-seven (447) suspects were arrested over the last one month and taken to Taskforce, Oshodi for further action. Out of this number, fifty-three (53) were warned and released while three hundred and ninety-four (394) were charged to court. Out of those charged to court, two hundred and ninety-six (296) were convicted, while ninety-eight are still awaiting trial”.
“383 suspects were arrested in a clampdown on social miscreants: The Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants which I established, took the battle to the doorsteps of social miscreants at Ikorodu, Agege, Itire, Isheri-Oshun and Oshodi. One hundred and ninety-two suspects were arrested. Out of this number, thirty-eight were warned and released while eighty-seven were charged to court. Sixty-seven are currently being profiled. Two locally made pistols with thirty unexpended cartridges, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and some cutlasses/axes were recovered from the hoodlums”.
CP Odumosu also highlighted several activities of the police across the state since November when he took charge of the Lagos Command.
Among which were; Two suspects arrested for attacking a couple at Ikoyi to be charged to Court for conspiracy, murder, armed robbery and attempted murder: On the 08/12/2019, at about 1930hrs, one Olamilekan Oke ‘m’ conspired with one Akande Adeyinka ‘m’ and killed one Bernadett Tohouo Tohouo ‘f’ by stabbing her to death with a knife. The suspects also attempted to kill the deceased’s husband one Gildas Tohouo Tohouo by stabbing him on the neck and other parts of the body, thereby causing grievous harm”.
“The two suspects, Olamilekan Oke ‘m’ and Akande Adeyinka ‘m’ had a premeditated plan before taking advantage of a party organized by one Max Delany ‘m’, a Briton, who organized an end of the year party for few of his colleagues at the same apartment, to commit the dastardly act”.
“Meanwhile, both suspects made confessional statements to have gained access into the couple’s apartment, under the pretence of trying to fix their faulty electrical distribution box. Investigation is concluded and the suspects will be charged to Court”.
He also added “19 years old man arrested for killing his 24 years old girlfriend: On the 7th of December 2019, at about 1145hrs, one Oji Ifeanyichukwu Victor ‘m’ 19 years old killed one Tolani Mariam Alabi ‘f’ 24 years old by pouring petrol on her and settling her ablaze. She was immediately rushed to Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, where she was confirmed dead by a doctor on duty. The deceased, Tolani Mariam Alabi ‘f’ and suspect, Oji Ifeanyichukwu Victor ‘m’ were lovers living together at 549, Army Post Service Estate, Ojo-Iba, Lagos, before the incident. The lovers had a misunderstanding bordering on infidelity. The suspect has confessed to the commission of the crime. To this end, the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution”.
“Arrest of armed robbery suspect and recovery of firearm: Following a sustained monitoring, operatives from Raider Section SCID, Panti busted a criminal syndicate who specializes in highway robbery and terrorizing innocent citizens within Ise / Epe area of Lagos State”.
“The ring leader, Moshood Abayomi ‘m’ was arrested on 28/12/209 at about 2330hrs. One locally made double barrel Pistol with one expended cartridge was recovered from. Investigation is still in progress. Suspect will be charged to court”.
“Three suspects were arrested for conspiracy and murder: On the 11/12/2019, one Kayode Babalola ‘m’ aged 50 years, who left his office at Oregun in Ikeja axis, Lagos for a night vigil at a church in Ketu was attacked on a street within Alapere area by the trio of Paul Peter ‘m’ 22 years, Rasaki Ibrahim ‘m’ 22 years and Damilare Abimbola ‘m’. He was dispossessed of his two phones and other personal effect on him, before being wheeled away in a wheelbarrow into a canal. The body of the deceased is still missing. Suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime. They will be charged to Court”.
“Arrest of 6 suspected fraudsters who stage miracles: Police received an information about a syndicate who specializes in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public by conducting fake miracles in locations such as Festac, Airport Road and Ikoyi”.
“The Pastor, one David Elijah, who is presently at large, conspired with his cohorts by hypnotizing his followers before robbing and dispossessing them of their valuables. On the strength of the information, one Lawal Damilola ‘f’ age 29 years, Makinde Folashade ‘f’ age 49 years, Babayemi Joke ‘f’ age 37 years, Precious Sunday ‘f’ age 20 years, Victoria Emmanuel ‘f’ age 42 years and Gift Adams ‘f’ were arrested on 17th December at Ikoyi. The suspects confessed receiving payment of N3, 000 each from the Pastor to stage the miracles. The suspects were charged to court”.
“Arrest of a suspect who killed a Police sergeant at Ogba: On the 12th of August, 2018 at about 1100hrs, some hoodlums attacked a patrol team on pin down point at Haruna Street, Ifako-Ijaye in Ogba, where one Sgt. Ifiobor Sunday Collins was killed and his riffle snatched from him. One of the hoodlums, Amechi Uzohma ‘m’ was arrested by the operatives of Area G Command on 13/12/2019. The suspect will be charged to court after the completion of the investigation”.
These and several other activities were highlighted by the police boss before conducting the media men around some seized arms, ammunitions and suspects at the Lagos Police Command Car Park on Wednesday.
