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Tag: Mr Imohimi Edgal

  • Lagos CP redeploys Anti-Cultism Squad

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, on Monday redeployed the officer and men in charge of the Anti-Cultism Squad over alleged unprofessional conducts and corruption.

    The police spokesman in Lagos Command, CSP Chike Oti, said in a statement in Lagos that the move was to reposition and reinvigorate the command’s Anti-Cultism Squad.

    According to him, reorganisation of the squad was necessitated by the unprofessional conducts of its personnel and corruption in the unit.

    He said that the unit was very crucial in the fight against cultists and cultism in the state.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi, has redeployed the Officer-in-Charge of the Squad, SP Godwin Agbegbe, while CSP Akaninyene Etuk has been posted to take over from him.

    Read Also: One killed in Lagos cult clash

    “Similarly, all members of the squad were relieved of their duty posts and have been directed to report to the Lagos State Police Headquarters for debriefing.

    “The CP warns that the same treatment awaits any other unit in the command that is working at cross purposes with the fundamental objectives of the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

    Oti added that all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Head of Departments were enjoined to increase supervision of their men in order to ensure non-violation of the police Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

    He also urged members of the public with useful information about the activities of cultists in any part of the state to reach CSP Etuk on 08034448617.

    It will be recalled that Edgal had on Sept. 3, 2017, sacked, Adejobi Akinade, the Officer in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cultism Unit of the command over alleged corruption.

    Reports confirmed that the police chief, after removing Adejobi, separated Kidnapping unit from Cultism and posted senior officers as heads of the two units for better service delivery.

    NAN

  • Police rescue commercial sex worker from client in Lagos hotel

    The police in Lagos on Monday said that they rescued a commercial sex worker from a client in a hotel room, following an attempted murder.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, said that the police prompt response to distress call from a worker at Wellwood Hotel, Ajangbadi, Lagos led to the rescue of victim and arrest of the suspect.

    Imohimi said:“On the May 24 at about 12:35 a.m, a distress call was received from Wellwood Hotel.

    “The duty officer that night at Ilemba Hausa Division, quickly went to the hotel where he found one Faith, a commercial sex worker, with severe injuries on her neck.

    “The victim claimed that on same date at about 12:15 a.m., the suspect came to her hotel room. After sleeping with her, he brought out a rope, tied it around her neck and pulled her down.

    “He also tried to suffocate her by blocking her mouth and nostrils with a pillow.

    “She was, however, rescued by a staff of the hotel who heard noise in her room as she struggled for life.

    “This suspect was arrested and the rope with which he nearly killed the girl was recovered from him.”

    The CP said that the suspect was yet to tell the police his motive for attempting to murder the victim.

    In a similar development, a 25-year old man was also arrested for luring a woman to a hotel in Lagos, where she was drugged and raped.

    Edgal said that the suspect invited the victim to De-Didos Hotel on March 4 where the crime was committed.

    “The suspect was said to have stolen one Infinix Note 3 phone, one Nokia touch phone, one voter’s card and disappeared ever since.

    “Based on this development, detectives investigating the case tapped into our robust partnership with community members and hoteliers in the area.

    “They circulated the suspect’s details to hotels in the area and to all nooks and crannies of Ajangbadi.

    “This paid off on May 25 when the suspect went to one of the hotels to lodge and he was promptly arrested by the operatives of the Command” he said.

    The CP further advised members of the public to be mindful of who they interact with on the social media.

    “The youths should be wary of those luring them with promises of gift and better life and must always seek the advice of their parents at all times about people making promises to them,’’ he advised.

  • Okada riders: Get registered within 3 days or risk arrest- Lagos CP

    Okada riders: Get registered within 3 days or risk arrest- Lagos CP

    The Lagos Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, has given commercial motorcyclists in the state three days to register with any of the two relevant associations or risk arrest.

    Edgal gave the directive on Saturday during an emergency meeting with the leadership the commercial motorcycle operators as part of measures to ensure that they are well coordinated to promote security.

    According to him, the two recognised associations are  National Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NNAMORAL) and Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS).

    The police boss said that the registration was necessary for proper identification, warning that commercial motorcycle operators not registered with either of the unions by Tuesday would be arrested for illegal operation.

    “If you want to be a commercial motorcycle operator in Lagos State, you must belong to either NNAMORAL or MOALS.

    “All commercial motorcycle operators are given three days to get registered; anyone found wanting will be arrested.

    “The operators must wear their reflective vests designed by the unions with their names and numbers.

    “Members of the public are advised not to patronise any okada rider (commercial motorcyclist) without the vest as his or her safety cannot be guaranteed,’’ he said.

    He said that the police would not relent in enforcing Lagos traffic laws.

    “There are roads okada riders must not ply. They must carry one person at a time.

    “The vests are numbered. There are emergency numbers to call in case a passenger has a problem with any commercial motorcycle operator.

    Read Also: Okada, keke: Loved, hated in equal measure

    “We all want Lagos to be a mega city but this cannot be achieved when we have commercial motorcycle operators without helmets, taking one way and BRT lanes.

    “In enforcing traffic laws, community policing is the way out as I don’t intend to enforce these laws without you.’’

    Edgal directed that the two motorcycle transport unions should have a database for commercial motorcycle operators in the state.

    He said that increasing rate of accidents involving commercial motorcyclists made it necessary for their operations to be strictly monitored.

    “When you go to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, and see cases, you will see that there is the need to monitor their (commercial motorcyclists‘) operations,” he said.

    Responding, the Chairman of MOALS, Mr Pekis Tijani, said that the union leaders would fully implement the directive.
    Tijani, who commended the police boss for the meeting, assured him that motorcycle operation in Lagos would take a new shape.

  • Pupils kidnappings: Lagos to set up Joint Tactic Guards to secure vulnerable schools

    Pupils kidnappings: Lagos to set up Joint Tactic Guards to secure vulnerable schools

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said it had established Joint Tactic Squad comprising different security agencies to heighten safety of schools in the outskirts, riverine and other vulnerable areas.

    Mr Imohimi Edgal, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos said this while briefing newsmen after the state’s monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    ”The Council deliberated extensively about security of all our Model Colleges and other schools that are situated in vulnerable areas.

    “I have taken a tour of all the Model Colleges; all lapses observed have been noted by the Council and the governor has given instruction that all those lapses be taken care of immediately.

    ” We now have Joint Tactic Guards of both the police and the military in all Model schools to heighten security, ” he said.

    The CP said the Council also resolved to increase police presence across the state, especially now that the ‘Ember’ months had set in.

    ”We have noticed heightened security across the state; there is high visibility of police and other security presence across the state.

    ”We can recall that most of the bridges are being cleared. This effort is geared towards displacing hoodlums who might want to use such areas as hideouts.

    ”The Council has approved the resuscitation of the Joint Inter-Agency Raids Committee that will take care of raids on areas that are designated as black spots where criminals hibernate, such as uncompleted buildings, markets, among others.

    ”It also approved partnership with the informal policing sector in all neighborhood across the state to stop the trend of residential robberies, ” he said.

    Edgal said that the state government also resolved to vigorously enforce the state traffic law prohibiting operation of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders in certain routes across the state.

    Edgal said that the enforcement would take place immediately after another round of public enlightenment on the dangers and security implications of plying Okada on restricted routes.

    Also, the CP said all those involved in the murder of the winner of 2007 Gulder Ultimate Search, Hector Jobateh, had been arrested including the principal suspect who fired the shot that killed the victim, saying that all the suspects would soon be charged to court.

    He, however, urged members of the public to continue to support the police with useful information and tips.

    ” Partnership is key because it is the only way information can flow and I want to assure residents that for any information given freely, the confidentiality of the informant will be taken with utmost seriousness, ” Edgal said.

    Also speaking, Mr Tunji Bello, Secretary to the State Government, said the Council deliberated on the recent restriction order on inter-state buses along Ikorodu Road, saying that all the identified setbacks have been considered and were being addressed.

  • Lagos schools: More kidnappers camps demolished

    Lagos schools: More kidnappers camps demolished

    The Lagos State Police Command yesterday said there would be no more kidnapping in schools following the destruction of over 200 camps hitherto operated by men of the underworld.

    Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, gave the assurance at a one-day workshop for stakeholders on the safety of pupils and members of staff of Model Colleges and upgraded secondary schools, organised by the state’s Ministry of Education.

    He spoke on “The roles and expectations of security agencies in securing lives and properties in our Schools” at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, in Ikeja.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, was guest of honour at the workshop which was held ahead of the 2017/2018 academic calendar scheduled for next Monday.

    Imohimi, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Mr. Bolaji Salami, said kidnapping was not peculiar to Lagos State or Nigeria.

    He said the Command will deploy armed officers to some model colleges, especially schools in riverine areas so as to forestall kidnapping. Armed personnel will also provide 24-hour security at boarding schools.

    Dr. Adebule said the state’s Special Task Force had been directed to embark on demolition exercise of all illegal shanties located around all public schools.

    Adebule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, said the workshop would sensitise stakeholders so as to prevent a recurrence of abductions in public schools as well as ensure pupils, staff are safe and secure.

    She spoke on the theme of the workshop; “Towards a safe and secure learning environment.”

    Adebule said: “The state Special Task Force has been directed to commence demolition of illegal structures and shanties built within the set-backs and environment of public schools beginning from next week.

    “Therefore, the school administrators should be vigilant that those displaced do not return and, in case you observe the return of the displaced people, you should alert the state government and officials of the state task force immediately, in order to do the needful.

    “The future of our children depends on quality education and their safety will not be compromised as they are commencing a new academic session next week Monday. We all have to be on the same page on security, we have to be proactive in order to ensure a smooth sailing 2017/2018 academic session.

    “However, there is a new phase of in security challenges that we have to deal with and that is the kidnap of schools students.”

  • Ambode to new Lagos CP: Task ahead is enormous

    Ambode to new Lagos CP: Task ahead is enormous

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday expressed confidence in the ability of the new Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Imohimi Edgal to deliver on the enormous task before him in effectively and efficiently policing the State, saying that the security of lives and property in the State remain paramount.

    Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja when he received the immediate past Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Fatai Owoseni and the new CP alongside top officers of the Command, said there was no doubt about the enormous responsibility before the new police boss, but that it was gratifying that he (Edgal) was very much familiar with the security architecture of the State.

    The Governor recalled how security was made one of the focal objectives of his administration since inception, saying that the development was designed as part of efforts to build a solid foundation for the growth of Lagos economy and welfare of the people.

    He specifically thanked Owoseni for contributing immensely to the security of the State during his tenure as the CP, and wished him success in his future endeavours.

    While officially welcoming the new CP to the State, Governor Ambode acknowledged the fact that Edgal had been very familiar with the terrain having been in the State for long, and assured him of the support of the State Government to ensure his success in office.

    He said: “We are comfortable that he (Edgal) does not have to start trying to learn the ropes because he is very familiar with the security architecture of the State and the enormity of the assignment that has been given to him. On our part, we will ensure that we support him as well as men and officers of the State Command.

     “What is most important to us is that we must keep the city safe. Lagos must be safer, Lagos must be cleaner and it is based on that we can invite investors to come in. That is when we can project our 24/7 economy and so we cannot afford not to have a vibrant police force. More importantly is the fact that we in government have decided that without a safe city, we cannot have a prosperous State and the prosperity and the peace that Lagos is enjoying now is actually founded on that fabric of the safety of lives and property,” he said.

    The Governor also assured that his administration will support the present effort of the Nigeria Police to scale up community policing.

    “We will give the new CP all the support and I want to also say that we will support community policing. You must have seen that in our action which was why we established the Neighborhood Safety Corps and we want to thank the Nigerian Police for supporting that.

    “The establishment of the Corps is part of the fabric of the community policing that the Nigerian Police Force is now projecting and we will support it with materials, resources and also ensure that every community is properly policed and in that, we will have the peace that everybody need to go about their activities without let or hindrance.

    “We are very emphatic on law and order and we will ensure that our judicial system works in convergence with the Nigerian Police so that we can keep the city safe and more prosperous,” Governor Ambode said.

    Besides, Ambode commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris for the positive trend and improvement in security that the country had witnessed in recent time.

    Earlier, Owoseni thanked Governor Ambode for the support the Police Command enjoyed during his tenure, especially the massive procurement of equipment and logistics for officers, saying that the gesture contributed largely to the achievements recorded in the last two years.

    On his part, Edgal assured that he would hit the ground running and employ various means including community policing to ensure that Lagos emerges as the safest city to live and do business in Africa.

    He said Lagos, being a cosmopolitan city, must be policed based on dynamics required, and that he would bring his passion to bear to ensure that residents of the State can sleep with their two eyes closed.

    He specially appreciated Governor Ambode for the support the police had enjoyed in recent times and pleaded for the continuation of the kind gesture, just as he assured that security of lives and property of Lagosians would now be a top priority.

    “I want to assure Governor Ambode that under my watch, you will have no cause for complaints or concerns. We will serve the people of Lagos with all our hearts and might. Let me use this opportunity also to warn criminals and hoodlums that it will not be business as usual.

    “I also want to warn officers and men of the command that issues of human rights abuses, corruption, indiscipline generally will no longer be a slap on the wrists. The full weight of police regulations and the law will be meted out to anybody found wanting under my watch,” Edgal said.