Worried by complaints from some neighbourhoods in Lagos alleging increased activities of petty thieves and robbers who specialize in vandalizing vehicles parked by roadsides at night, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Imohimi Edgal has directed the Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers across the state to carry out strings of operations in their areas of responsibilities.
Confirming the development, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chike Oti said that in addition to the directive, the Commissioner of Police also advised all communities in Lagos to adopt some measures in order to improve security of lives and properties in their localities.
The measures advocated by the CP according to Oti, included that all streets/communities should as a matter of urgency appoint a Chief Security Officer (CSO) from their midst adding that this exercise was to be coordinated by the CDA of such area.
He maintained that it would be the responsibility of the CSO to get the phone numbers of DPOs, operation officers and patrol and guard officers closest to them and distribute same widely to members of their community saying that it would be the responsibility of the CSO to arrange for street guards who would keep watch at night and raise the alarm when necessary to frustrate night marauders.
Oti added that it would be the responsibility of the CSO to reinvigorate and coordinate the already existing joint vigilante/police patrol at night between 12 midnight and 4am in conjunction with the DPO of that locality even as he advised that in areas where vigilance groups had not been formed in accordance with laid down legal/operational modalities earlier issued by the Commissioner of Police, it would be the responsibility of the CSO to immediately liaise with his DPO to ensure that these vigilance groups are set up.
The command spokesman added that the CP had also observed that the two toll free lines, 767/112 were jammed due to call traffic saying that to reduce the strain on these lines, the CP had released the following 10 numbers domiciled at the Citizen Complaint Hot Centre (CCHC) for use by communities to alert law enforcement officers.
They include: 08067945296, 08063025274, 08063104759, 08113615350, 08113683077, 08096283148, 08096283173, 08089781657, 08126404930 and 08081426895.
He further quoted the Commissioner of Police as saying that it would be the responsibility of the CSO to ensure that these lines are given widest publicity.
“The CP wishes to reiterate that security is not only a joint endeavour but an expensive business. He therefore enjoins communities to pay their security dues to enable CSOs to put in place street guards to complement the effort of the police.
“Finally, the Commissioner of Police assures Lagosians of security in the remaining part of the yuletide season and enjoins them to celebrate and enjoy moderately during the festive period”, he said.
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