The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate deployment of special squads to Lagos and Ogun states over the recent attacks in the states.
In a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, the police boss also deployed additional intelligence and operational assets of the Force to the tow Southwest states.
Mba said the squads include Police Mobile Force (PMF) Units, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS).
He said the squad will be coordinated by a Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo, who doubles as the DIG, Department of Research and Planning of the Force, and the coordinating DIG for South-West.
According to the statement, the purpose of the deployment is to strengthen security and bolster public confidence in the affected areas.
The IGP also ordered Commissioners of Police across the country to immediately rejig the security architecture in their various Commands to effectively tackle all emerging crimes associated with the COVID-19 lock-down.
Adamu said the commissioners are also to intensify patrols around residential areas, markets, shopping malls and all critical national infrastructures in their jurisdictions.
The Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the 12 Zonal Commands have also been directed by the IGP to bring their supervisory role to bear by ensuring that the Commands under their Zones are safe and secure for the citizenry to live and thrive.
The statement added that a total of 191 suspects have been arrested in Lagos and Ogun States in connection with the incidents.
He said: “The intervention team is being coordinated by DIG Peter Babatunde Ogunyonwo, a seasoned crime fighter, who doubles as the DIG in charge of the Department of Research and Planning of the Force and the coordinating DIG for South-West Geopolitical Zone.
“He is to immediately oversee the deployments of these additional assets to enhance public safety, public confidence and general security in the two states.
“Meanwhile, the IG has ordered Commissioners of Police across the country to immediately rejig the security architecture in their various commands to effectively tackle all emerging crimes associated with the COVID-19 lock-down.
“They are also to intensify patrols around residential areas, markets, shopping malls and all critical national infrastructures in their jurisdictions.
“The Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the 12 Zonal Commands have also been directed by the IG to bring their supervisory role to bear by ensuring that the commands under their zones are safe and secure for the citizenry to live and thrive.
“A total of 191 suspects have been arrested in Lagos and Ogun States in connection with the incidents. The following exhibits: 15 locally-made guns, 52 live cartridges, 42 cutlasses and axes and large quantity of weeds suspected to be Marijuana have been recovered from the hoodlums by the Police Teams in the Agbado, Ifo, Otta and Agege axis.
“DIG, Peter Ogunyanwo can be reached through this GSM No: 08033893226. The Control Room Numbers for Lagos Command are 08127155132, 08065154338 and 07055462708 while that of Ogun Command are 08081770416 and 08081770419.
“The IG assures the citizens that the police will not sit idly-by and allow activities of a few criminals to disrupt the peace and security of the country. He commends Nigerians for their steadfastness, patience, perseverance and vigilance at this critical time.”
