…Reels out measures to end menace in Lagos
Worried by the spate of cultism and gangsterism in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Muazu Zubairu on Monday launched a special operation code named ‘Operation Crush’ to end the menace.
The launch which took place at the Igbogbo Division, Ikorodu attracted the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), heads of units and officers and men of the command as well as the general public who came to witness the event which featured parade of over one hundred suspects arrested by the operatives of the command for cult related activities and other offences as well as display of cache of arms and ammunition recovered over the period.
Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Sate, CP Zubairu Muazu explained that Operation Crush was aimed at ending cultism and gangsterism in the state which according to him would be directly under his command even as he said that Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers would also lead the various operations in their areas of jurisdiction.
Muazu noted that tackling cultism required a holistic approach hence the command intended to adopt community Policing approach even as he revealed that the command would soon embark on sensitization programmes in collaboration with Police Community Relations Committee and other stakeholders in schools, neighbourhoods and media.
He added that the command would equally establish Police Students Relations Committee comprising all the Students’ Union Presidents and other students’ leaders saying that the command would organize town hall meetings in areas mostly affected by cult activities to discuss extensively the root causes of cultism and gangsterism in the affected areas and possible solutions.
He listed the various cult groups identified within the state to include; Aiye and Eiye confraternities, one million boys at Ajegunle, Fadeyi boys at Fadeyi area, Akala boys at Mushin area, Nokia group at Surulere area, Shitta boys at Bariga, Oworonsoki, Shomolu and Palm Grove areas, Awawa boys at Dopemu, Agege, Ogba and Iyana-Ipaja.
The CP however said that the command had observed the activities of those cult group and gangs for the last one month and credible intelligence was gathered.
In his words, “We have reviewed our strategies and have initiated far reaching approach to totally eradicate the menace. We have rejigged our Anti-Cultism Unit 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 cultists den and hideouts until they are totally defeated.
“This special operation we are flagging off today is code named ‘Operation Crush’ aimed at ending cultism and gangsterism in Lagos state and it will be directly under my command. Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers will personally lead the various operations in their areas of jurisdiction”.
He therefore warned members of those gangs and cult groups to either renounce membership of such cults and gangs or be prepared to face the full weight of the law while equally advising parents and guardians to monitor the activities and monitor of their children and wards and make sure that their mission on the public space were legitimate otherwise they should stay clear.
“Let me call on everyone, both old and young, rich and poor to join in this noble fight. We must cleanse our communities of those few criminal elements who have threatened our social and economic well-being. Together, we can subdue them”, he submitted.
On the achievements of the command in the last four months, the CP said,” From February, 2019 that I assumed duty as Commissioner of Police Lagos State, the command has arrested 202 notorious cult members and they have been charged to Court and are at different stages of prosecution. We have recovered 54 assorted weapons. Other successes recorded by the command include the arrest of 105 suspects for armed robbery and 7 suspects for kidnapping. The command has also successfully foiled 93 armed robbery attempts through prompt response to distress calls from members of the public at different locations in the state”.
Photo: CP Zubairu Muazu conducting journalists round the recovered arms and ammunition during the launch of Operation Crush at Igbogbo Division, Ikorodu, Lagos on Monday.
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