The Lagos State Police Command has set up a standby intervention squad known as Eko Strike Force as part of the re-jigged crime prevention and control strategies.
The Strike Force introduced by the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh with the endorsement of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu comprised of personnel drawn from the Police Mobile Force (PMF).
Speaking with 35 participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 18, National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) Abuja, who visited the command on a study tour, CP Jimoh explained that the strike forces are stationed at Surulere as it was a nexus between the island and the mainland.
According to the police chief, the crime rate in Lagos had further dropped from what he met on ground two months ago, attributing the feat to the synergy that exists among security agencies and the cooperation from the community.
“The crime rate in Lagos State has been reduced to the barest minimum, and we are working to ensure it stays low. I want to not only attribute that to our efforts but also to the support of other security, intelligence, and safety agencies that are cooperating with us. The rate I met on the ground was not alarming.
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“This is because Lagos State has a structure that is second to none in the country. We thank Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for all he has been doing to ensure that there is safety in Lagos.
“Just recently, he presented 72 patrol vehicles for Police Divisions in Lagos. We know that there will be more to assist us further, and we are appreciative of the support…”
Speaking on how the command was able to contain activities of armed/violent non-state actors, CP Jimoh said the establishment of the Strike Force was one of the ways, explaining that its creation has ensured that response teams are not pulled from neighbour divisions to attain to urgent matters.
“Most times when we have an issue to respond to, we normally pull out the patrol team from a specific location to address it, and then they go. I saw a loophole there because the non-state actors can capitalize on the absence of patrol teams at that location or reduced manpower in a division to wreak havoc.
“That is why I set up this Eko Strike Force, and Mr. Governor agreed to it. They are presently in Surulere, and all of them are
Mobile Officers. As we all know, Surulere is the link between Lagos Island and the Mainland.
“They move in if there is any issue of crime, address the issue, and then the Area Command or Division takes over from them.
“Last week, we had some disturbances at YabaTech, and it was the Eko Strike Force that was deployed there to arrest the situation,” explained CP Jimoh.
He said the command was also working with vigilante groups and community corps especially those in riverine locations to ensure that they were all on the same page towards ensuring safety and security of Lagosians.
“So they join the patrol with us. And when we have incidents of crime, they equally mobilise to assist us. Since I resumed two months ago, we have not had any cases of kidnapping in Lagos.
“The incidents we used to have are those that are traditional with Lagos- street fighting and Omonile. We are working with the state government, and a lot of arrangements have been put in place that will be unveiled very soon by His Excellency, the Governor, about the issue of Omonile.”
CP Jimoh assured the course participants that Lagos was safe and secure, adding that the security architecture of the state was in tune with the government’s agenda to ensure adequate safety, security for all residents and properties so that businesses would thrive and the economy continues to boom.
Earlier, the institute’s Director of Coordination and Liaison, Mrs Foluke Arigbede, who led the delegation said the study tour was part of the requirements for the course, adding that it would expose the participants to hands-on experiences that would be useful when they return to their agencies.
The Nation reports that among the 35 participants were officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Department of State Services (DSS), Rwanda Police as well as other security and law enforcement agencies.