Lagos CP frowns at gang wars, cult activities sponsored by politicians

AgegePulse Magazine

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Imohimi Edgar, yesterday, vowed not to condone gang wars and cult related activities sponsored by politicians in the state.

He said this at a Town Hall Security Summit themed: ‘Towards a violent free 2018 elections’, held at  Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. Edgar said: “The Command cannot allow cult groups to hold sway, hoping they will receive patronage from politicians.

 Lagos is a cosmopolitan state and an elite environment, so there is no room for thuggery here.”

“I am calling on politicians to abide by the rules. INEC has made it clear that no form of campaign, either for Presidency or National Assembly, is allowed until November 18, 2018 , while that of governorship will commence on December 2, 2018. Political activities will not commence under any guise before the scheduled dates.


“Politicians should not go to public places and give money out. I am also advising that they should not give money out, because most of the troubles and killings that come up are usually because of money sharing.”

It is the fight over that money that usually leads to the loss of life. It doesn’t make any sense if a politician’s good gestures would lead to the loss of lives.”

Vanguard

Policemen brutalise LASTMA officials, vandalise car over cop’s arrest

Samson Folarin

Pandemonium broke out in the Idiroko end of Ikorodu Road, Lagos State, on Tuesday after two policemen attached to a bank in the area reportedly unleashed terror on two officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

The traffic officers were allegedly beaten up for arresting a mobile policeman, who had reportedly violated the state traffic law.

PUNCH Metro learnt that trouble started when the mopol, who was in a KIA vehicle with number plate, GW 113 AAA, allegedly drove through the reserved Bus Rapid Transport lane.

He was reportedly blocked by the LASTMA officials, who were in a branded KIA, with number plate, RTN 198 LA.

The policeman’s car key was allegedly seized by the traffic officials, who insisted he would face the consequence of his action.

In the ensuing argument, the two policemen who came from a bank opposite the scene, allegedly beat up the officials, vandalised their vehicle and aided the escape of the cop.

A clip of the incident, which went viral on the social media on Tuesday, showed the moment the armed policemen kicked and punched one of the LASTMA officers.

A man, who identified himself only as Jerry, said the mopol caused a traffic jam on the BRT lane while resisting arrest.

He said, “The incident happened around 9.30am. The motorist wore a police shirt which had mopol on it. He was coming from Maryland en route to Anthony and took the BRT lane. He was blocked by a LASTMA vehicle at Idi iroko.

“The man refused to drive out of the lane after a LASTMA officer entered his car. Before we knew it, two other policemen crossed over from a First Bank branch opposite the scene. They beat up the LASTMA officials and demanded the key of the man’s car.

“When they did not get the key, they attacked every LASTMA officer in sight until they got the key. They broke the glass of the LASTMA KIA that was used to block the car with the butt of their guns.

“After they succeeded, they opened the LASTMA car and pushed it to the expressway. The mopol then escaped, while they ran back to their duty post.”

PUNCH Metro obtained another clip of the incident showing the mopol saying the officials “scattered” his car.

“If you arrest me, must you scatter my car? Why will you scatter my car?” he queried.

Our correspondent learnt that two hoodlums, who allegedly joined in aiding the escape of the policeman, were arrested and arraigned before a mobile court.

The men were reportedly remanded in prison.

The Public Affairs Officer of LASTMA, Mahmud Hassan, expressed disappointment in the conduct of the cops.

He said, “Our men were on their lawful duties on the Ikorodu Road, manning the BRT corridor, when the motorist was seen driving on the BRT lane.

“When accosted by our men, he said nobody could stop him from driving on the BRT lane. At that point, our men told him that he was not above the law. The motorist started making trouble with our men.

“When the policemen manning the bank opposite the scene of the incident saw him, they crossed the road and in a bid to free the man from the hands of the law, they descended on our men. They beat up our men black and blue, tore their uniforms and damaged our vehicle. They chased our men away and used force to take the vehicle from the BRT lane. The injured officers are receiving treatment as I speak.

“We are disappointed that men trained to enforce the law of the state are the ones circumventing the law and turning around to beat those they should be supporting. It is a low point for those involved. I don’t know how they would be proud of their action. They should look at themselves in the mirror and ask if they have lived up to the expectation of their profession.

“While we will continue to count on the support and cooperation of the police hierarchy, the action of those officers has done a great damage; it happened in the full glare of the public on the busy Ikorodu Road.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, had ordered an investigation into the incident.

Tanker explosion: Lagos to prosecute truck owner, driver

…Orders security agencies to step up enforcement of traffic law

…As CP allays fears over renewed threat of militancy in Epe, Ikorodu axis


AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government is perfecting plans to prosecute the owner and driver of the ill-fated fuel tanker which exploded last Thursday on Otedola Bridge inward Ojodu Berger along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal said on Monday.

Already, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem had at the weekend written to the CP to advise him on the relevant provisions of the law that could guide the ongoing investigation which would lead to possible prosecution.

Confirming receipt of the letter while briefing Government House Correspondents after the Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Edgal said investigations into the incident were ongoing, saying that government would not allow vehicles that pose serious danger to residents on the road.

The police chief, who briefed journalists alongside heads of other security agencies in the State, specifically commiserated with those who lost their loved ones to the tragic incident, while also commending emergency responders who quickly raced to the scene to keep the causality figure low.

“As regards investigation into the matter, it is in top gear. I have just received a letter from the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice which stated very clearly charges which we are going to prefer against the driver and the owner of that tanker.

“Henceforth, we are using this opportunity to call on all tanker drivers, all lorry drivers, all owners of such articulated vehicles to please submit those vehicles for Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) test; they must go through the entire hub and get the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) Certificate of Road Worthiness. We will not allow such vehicles which obviously pose serious danger to other road users on our roads,” Edgal said.

He said government had already directed security agencies to intensify enforcement of relevant laws, especially the State Traffic Law, with the view to ensuring that the roads and highways in the State were safe for commuters to ply without any danger.

Edgal also urged residents to always refrain from converging on the scene of any accident of such magnitude as that of the unfortunate tanker fire incident, saying there could be secondary explosion which could lead to loss of lives.

Speaking on other issues deliberated at the meeting, Edgal said the Council reviewed the security situation in the State since the last time it met, saying it was gratifying to note that there had been 17 per cent reduction in violent crimes in the period under review.

He also allayed fears over renewed threat of militancy in the creek areas of Epe, Imota and Agbowa, assuring that State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, was on top of the situation.

“We have just concluded the Security Meeting Chaired by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and a wide range of security issues were discussed but most importantly some of the threats which we are currently having in certain parts of the State.

“The first one relates to the renewed threat of militancy around the creeks of Epe, Agbowa, Imota and the action that we are taking. There is a good synergy between the security agencies and the locals in ensuring that we keep some of these militants who want to come into the State from Ondo waters to try to disturb peace of the State.

“We are calling on all those who are in the riverine communities to continue to partner with security agents to ensure that when they see strange movement, they quickly alert security agencies so that we can keep them safe. For now, I can assure Lagosians that those areas are being properly policed and security is tight in those areas,” Edgal said.

Besides, Edgal appreciated Lagosians for credible information which had aided the fight against kidnapping, cultism, drug sale and drug abuse in the State, revealing that operatives of the Command recently intercepted a Container with over 37 Cartons of Tramadol which would have gotten to the public if not for prompt action of security agencies, just as he urged residents to continue to support security agents.

On the scheduled visit to Lagos by French and Namibian Presidents in the coming days, Edgal urged residents to show the hospitality the State is known for, while appealing for cooperation in the eventuality of road diversions and restrictions.

Giving update on the tanker accident, the Attorney General (Kazeem) said families of the victims had started submitting relevant samples to aid DNA test, saying: “I can confirm that today, families who lost their loved ones to the accident have started reporting at the Lagos State DNA Forensic Centre for submission of reference samples that would be used to identify victims.”

We’ll spare nothing to secure lives of 22 million Lagosians- Ambode

…Urges Companies To Install CCTV Cameras In Premises

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said his administration will leave no stone unturned and continue to deploy more technologically advanced techniques and equipment to ensure that the safety of lives and property of 22 million residents in the State is secured.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the 11th edition of the Town Hall Meeting on Security, organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House in Ikeja in Alausa, said policing the State requires all and sundry to join hands with Government to ensure that the peace being enjoyed in the State is not compromised.

Alluding to the fact that criminal elements despite efforts by the Government have continue to perpetrate their nefarious activities but that his administration is prepared to do whatever it takes to make it exceedingly difficult for these criminals to succeed in their evil plots and in the event that they do, they are apprehended and brought to justice.

He therefore said that Government was investing heavily in technology equipment and strategies to aid security agencies carry out their primary function of policing the State efficiently.

“Technology can reach where man cannot. This is why your State has invested in mobile CCTV vans with control units, provision of drones, robotic bomb disposal equipment, tracker, bomb detectors, mobile scanners etc. The State has also commenced the installation of CCTV cameras and is in talks for the purchase of surveillance aircraft that carry special cameras with 3D imagery, infrared and thermal imagery which can effectively gather intelligence in all parts of the State and would assist significantly in dealing with the menace of kidnapping,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor, however, seized the occasion to urge owners of businesses and organisations to install CCTV cameras in their premises to help expand the reach of law enforcement agents in the event of any security breach.

“We still need your continued support in providing equipment and logistics for the police and other security agencies through your contributions to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

“Be assured that the Lagos State Government is committed to rid our society of those that opt for crime. Our continued provision of equipment and logistics for the security agencies operating in Lagos is evident to this. Our government will also continue to provide state of the art infrastructure in order to achieve our vision of making Lagos a safe, prosperous and smart mega city,” he said.

Speaking on the plan by the Federal Government to demolish Jibowu and Costain bridges in Lagos, Governor Ambode said the development is necessary to give way for the new rail project which according to him, will be beneficial to the economy of the State and Nigeria as well.

“The Jibowu and Costain bridges will give way for the laying of tracks of a Lagos-Ibadan rail project. The demolition would give room for a track that would stretch from the old Fela Shrine to WAEC end and the track will be constructed in such a way that no vehicle can cross it,” Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Edgal Imohimi, said the introduction of community policing and the increase in police visibility had resulted in 35 per cent decline in crime in the State.

Imohimi, however, said that despite massive contributions by the State Security Trust Fund, dearth of patrol vehicles remained a challenge.

“Many vehicles attached to the divisions have become rickety and unserviceable due to old age and over usage,” he said.
Imohimi, however, said the command would not relent in its efforts to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far, but would appreciate if additional critical fighting equipment were provided saying that it would help to improve on the successes so far recorded in the command’s fight against crime and criminality.

Also speaking, Secretary of the LSSTF, Mr Abdulrazaq Balogun, said there was need for organisations to engage in consistent and sustainable security model, expressing optimism that it will go a long way to enhance strategic planning for improved security in the State.