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Tag: Lagos Police Commissioner

  • Security not responsible for voter apathy, says Lagos CP

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu on Saturday denied that observed voter apathy in some areas of the state was connected to lack of security presence during the presidential election.

    Violence sprung up in some polling units in the state during the March 23 Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections following the disruption of voting exercises by hoodlums.

    But the commissioner who toured the state during election, told reporters that watertight security was provided for this Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections to ensure voters’ safety.

    Muazu, alongside his boss Lawal Shehu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone Two, toured Oshodi, Okota, Ijora, Apapa and Surulere areas of the state, said he was satisfied with the professionalism of security operatives deployed for the exercise.

    Read also: Poor turnout in Alimosho

    “It is not true that voters did not come out because of fear or insecurity. We provided adequate security and have been assuring electorates to come out and vote. We had assured that security measures will be doubled and also ensured that armed policemen were stationed not far from polling units to wade off miscreants.

    “So far, the exercise has been peaceful. We have not had any issues. We have made adequate plans to contain any post-election violence though we do not envisage any. We also have security operatives on standby who would be deployed if the need arise.

    “We are back from convoy patrol of the polling units. The next phase will be to move from local governments to state collation centre.

    “Like I said, we have made adequate arrangement to ensure that we re-inforce those polling centers and we cannot expect any problems.”

  • Police: why we disrupted ‘free Lagos’ rally

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu yesterday said the ‘free Lagos’ campaign held at the Ikeja Airport Hotel was disrupted because the organisers did not inform the command about the gathering and were faceless.

    The organisers of the rally, Orange Movement, had alleged that policemen tear-gassed them, alleging that they were hoodlums.

    Among the conveners of the event were former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN).

    Afenifere spokesman Yinka Odumakin and Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi were yet to arrive the venue before the incident.

    While some participants had already sat inside Oranmiyan Hall where the event was to hold, it was gathered that others were prevented by a detachment of armed policemen mobilised to the scene from entering the hall.

    In the ensuing drama, the policemen fired several shots to disperse the crowd. People ran helter-skelter.

    At a briefing with reporters yesterday, Muazu confirmed that he was the one who gave the order that the group be dispersed.

    He said the command had to take proactive measures to prevent a crisis similar to the one which occurred at Okokomaiko on Wednesday during which hoodlums attacked innocent people.

    The police boss said although citizens had a right to organise peaceful protest, they should notify the police in writing, adding that the Public Order Act was still being enforced.

    He said: “It is against the law for anyone or group of persons to organise any public procession without getting approval from the police.”

     

  • Police: no tribe under threat in Lagos

    •Command to prosecute suspected ballot box snatcher  •We’ve tightened security’

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu said yesterday that no ethnic group was under threat.

    He urged people to disregard fake and provocative posts on social media alleging that Igbo traders were being prevented from going about their businesses.

    Muazu assured Lagosians that the state was peaceful.

    He briefed reporters that security arrangements had been reviewed following few cases of violence recorded during and after the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The police boss warned those circulating provocative posts on social media to desist, stressing that the command would identify, isolate and bring them to justice.

    “One serious issue the command is contending with is the fake news being circulated on social media, alleging that there is a plan by hoodlums to attack Igbo traders in Lagos, especially at Oshodi and other prominent markets.

    “We are not only debunking such rumours, we are also taking steps to reassure the Igbo community and other residents of their safety. We have deployed our special force in streets, markets and volatile areas.

    “We have convened town hall meetings in the last few days. Yesterday (Wednesday), we met Igbo trading community led by Eze Ndi Igbo of Oshodi, Hausa community, Yoruba community and others.

    “Let me restate that Lagos is peaceful. Lagosians are peace loving people. There is no ethnic group or community under threat. Our patrol and surveillance have been intensified. We have reviewed and redoubled our strategies to ensure a peaceful conduct of the governorship and house of assembly elections on March 9.

    “I urge Lagosians to go about their lawful activities peacefully. They should support the police to serve them better by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious movement or person to the police through our emergency numbers.

    “Let me use this medium to sound a big warning to initiators and distributors of fake news. We will identify you, isolate you and bring you to justice,” he said.

    Muazu said the principal suspect in the Okota election disruption, Demola, who was pelted with stones by a mob, would be prosecuted.

    He confirmed that the suspect had been discharged from hospital and was being treated as the principal suspect, saying the police would get the names of other suspects from him.

    “He was the principal suspect in that incident. He sustained injury and has been treated.”

    The police commissioner said the command had learnt lessons from the way the hoodlums, who disrupted elections at Okota, operated, adding: “We will not allow such incident again.”

    He said the restriction of movement during the governorship and house of assembly elections would be total, noting that motorcycles and tricycles would not be allowed near polling units.

    Muazu said the command would hold meetings with members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and members of motorcyclists association today to ensure they do not allow themselves to be used by any troublemaker.

  • Lagos is peaceful; come out and vote, CP tells residents 

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu has again appealed to residents to come out today and exercise their franchise, assuring that nothing would disrupt the peace and security in the state.

    Muazu gave the assurance after a meeting with all heads of security agencies in the state held at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

    According to the police chief, security had been adequately deployed across the state to ensure a peaceful conduct of the exercise, security of lives and properties.

    A statement released by the spokesman for the command, Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), appealed to residents to contact emergency numbers- Control 1: 08127155132 and 07035068242; Control 2: 08127155150 and 08065154338

    Control 3: 08127155071 and 08063299264- in case of any distress.

    Oti said: “The CP restates that the command, as part of its commitment to a peaceful conduct of the polls, has adequately deployed men and officers to different parts of the state.

    “He assures Lagosians that the command in collaboration with other sister agencies has put in place all the necessary security measures to ensure that the exercise is free, fair and credible.

    “The CP says eligible voters have no cause to entertain fear or feel intimidated in performing their civic duty, urging them to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner.

    “He warns violence-minded people to steer clear from engaging in acts capable of truncating the election, noting that whoever is caught will face the full weight of the law.”

  • Police to deploy air assets, sniffer dogs for polls

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu has said the command would deploy air assets for constant patrols during the elections.

    He stated this during an interview with reporters at the Command headquarters in Ikeja, adding that there was no anticipation of violence in the state.

    According to the police chief, the command was fully prepared for the exercise and has a robust operation order in place.

    “We have aerial patrols even before the elections. These patrols are going to continue.

    “We do not anticipate any violence anywhere but we have made adequate arrangement just in case we have any.

    “The command is fully prepared for the election. On my arrival in the command I met a robust operation order in place which I went through and was satisfied everything was in place. Now, this operation order has divided Lagos into various commands and formations and all have been adequately planned for.

    “We have not left anywhere unmanned. From INEC offices to the polling units and then collation centers, everywhere is going to be fully manned by security operatives.

    “We are working in collaboration with other security agencies in Lagos State. I want to assure you that all flash points have been protected.

    “Electorates should come out enmass and cast their votes without fear of anything. Adequate security has been provided for each voter at his polling unit to cast his vote,” he said.

    Meanwhile, The Nation gathered that

    the K-9 (dog) unit of the police would be fully engaged during the exercise especially in areas notorious for drug peddling and related crimes.

    At the state headquarters yesterday, a detachment of operatives including those from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Anti-bomb and Intelligence Bureau were seen jumping into trucks and buses for movement to their assigned communities and local governments.

    Asked why they were excited, some of the operatives confirmed to The Nation that they have received theit allowances. It was gathered the other ranks (Corporal to Sergeant) received N30,000 and above which were paid directly into their accounts.

  • Police to deploy air assets, sniffer dogs for polls

    ….We have received our allowances, motivated, say operatives

     

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu has said the command would deploy air assets for constant patrols during the elections.

    He stated this during an interview with reporters at the Command headquarters in Ikeja, adding that there was no anticipation of violence in the state.

    According to the police chief, the command was fully prepared for the exercise and has a robust operation order in place.

    “We have aerial patrols even before the elections. These patrols are going to continue.

    “We do not anticipate any violence anywhere but we have made adequate arrangement just in case we have any.

    “The command is fully prepared for the election. On my arrival in the command I met a robust operation order in place which I went through and was satisfied everything was in place. Now, this operation order has divided Lagos into various commands and formations and all have been adequately planned for.

    “We have not left anywhere unmanned. From INEC offices to the polling units and then collation centers, everywhere is going to be fully manned by security operatives.

    “We are working in collaboration with other security agencies in Lagos State. I want to assure you that all flash points have been protected.

    “Electorates should come out enmass and cast their votes without fear of anything. Adequate security has been provided for each voter at his polling unit to cast his vote,” he said.
    Meanwhile, The Nation gathered that the K-9 (dog) unit of the police would be fully engaged during the exercise especially in areas notorious for drug peddling and related crimes.

    At the state headquarters yesterday, a detachment of operatives including those from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Anti-bomb and Intelligence Bureau were seen jumping into trucks and buses for movement to their assigned communities and local governments.

    Asked why they were excited, some of the operatives confirmed to The Nation that they have received their allowances. It was gathered the other ranks (Corporal to Sergeant) received N30, 000 and above which were paid directly into their accounts.

  • Update: DCP Egbetokun takes over from Edgal as Lagos Police Commissioner

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police Imohimi Edgal has been redeployed.

    A source from force headquarters told The Nation that Edgal was redeployed to the Force Headquarters in Abuja as the Commissioner of Police in charge of Explosive Ordinance Unit.

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Kayode Egbetokun, it was learnt, has been asked to take over from Edgal as the Acting Police Commissioner.

    Before his appointment, Egbetokun is the Commandant, Police Training School (PTS) in the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Edgal redeployment may not be unconnected with the controversy that trailed the police handling of the crisis that nearly marred the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos rally held at the Skypower Grounds, Ikeja Government Reservation Area (GRA) last Tuesday.

    The skirmishes claimed one life with three journalists, including the Group Political Editor of The Nation Newspaper, injured.

    The Lagos State Police Command, thereafter, declared National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos State Auditor Mustapha Adekunle aka Sego wanted for “attempting to disrupt the rally.”

    Adekunle described the police action as a “frame-up.”

    READ ALSO: 2018/12/06 Edgal to NURTW: We’ll exchange fire for fire

    The following day, some NURTW members in Oshodi accused Edgal of being bias in handling the crisis.

    Born on September 4, 1964 in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Egbetokun enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on March 3, 1990, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

    He had his initial Cadet training in the Nigeria Police Academy and has attended many other courses within and outside the Police Force. He has worked in several Police commands and formations across the country and held command positions at various times in his career spanning 26 years.

    He has served as the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos, Squadron Commander, Mopol 5, Benin, Benin City, Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Fraud Unit, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Abuja, Chief Superintendent of Police, Administration, Lagos State Command Head Quarters, Ikeja, Area Commander, Osogbo, Osun State Command and Area Commander, Gusau, Zamfara State Command among several others.

  • Rapist attacks woman, children in Lagos

    Rapist attacks woman, children in Lagos

    Less than two weeks after a serial rapist killed an expectant mum, Afusat Yusuf and left her husband and two children unconscious, another family was yesterday morning attacked.

    The incident which occurred at the Igbefun area of Ibeshe, Ikorodu, left the residents in shock and desperate for solutions.

    It was gathered that the woman identified as Toyin Ogunleye, her son, Seun and daughter Funlola were sleeping when the rapist gained access into their home through the window.

    The woman resisted being raped and screamed to the hearing of other neighbours who were said to have rallied round to help them.

    However, it was learnt that the rapist, who escaped the scene, injured his victims.

    According to some of the residents, the frequent rape of women and children in the community could be the handiwork of ritualists, especially because pregnant and old women are not spared by their attackers.

    It was gathered that the Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni visited the community Thursday evening after he heard of the development.

    Contacted, the command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) confirmed the incident, adding that Owoseni has directed the Divisional Police Officer there to fish out the culprits.
    She said: “The command has arrested three suspected rapists in the area called “Badoo” and charged them to court. I don’t want to call the criminals by any name because I do not want to celebrate criminality.

    “Yes, the CP visited the scene after he received the report that a woman and two children were attacked. Good enough, there was no death.

    “He has directed the new DPO there to fish out the culprits and apply the concept of community policing to end the criminalty.

    “He also met with stakeholders within the community where opinions were raised on how best to police the area because of its difficult terrain.

    “The community expressed their readiness to partner with the police to end the menace.”