The Story Your path to the story
…. as LSTTF demands N99bn to equip,feed 33,000 Lagos police
250 rapists, 4,406 ‘Area Boys’ arrested
No fewer than 243 people were gruesomely murdered in Lagos while a total of 4,406 vehicles plied the prohibited BRT Lane from December 2020 and September, 2021, the document showing the activities of the State Police Command revealed.
The document also stated that of all the 243 murder cases recorded in the period under review, 215 suspected assassins were arrested and charged to court while a total of 1,124 armed robbery suspects were also arrested with 1,034 suspects charged to court.
This was even as the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr AbduRazaq Balogun said that the 33,000 police officers in Lagos will need about N99bn to conviniently kit and equip them, if they must be properly motivated.
Speaking at the 15th Annual Security Town Hall meeting held in Lagos, State police Commissioner, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, who spoke on the activities of the state police Command from December, 2020 to September 2021, said that out of the 228 robbery incidents carried out by the hoodlums within the period, 206 were foiled while 22 were successful with 1124 suspects arrested in connection with the crimes.
He added that 1034 among the armed robbery suspects arrested have been charged to court while others are still under investigation. He added that the command also recorded 22 cases of cultism and arrest of 390 cultists were recorded during the period.
Odumosu said: ” A total of 349 of the cultists have been arraigned before the court while investigation into the cases involving oothersis yet to be concluded. A total number of 243 murder cases were recorded with the arrest of 215 suspects. 210 of the murder suspects were charged to court while investigation is ongoing on other cases.
” A total 206 different arms and 475 assorted of ammunitions with 168 other dangerous weapons and cudgels were recovered during the period. 44029 social miscreants arrested and charged to court were convicted accordingly, with punishments ranging from fine, communal service to imprisonment awarded to them. A total of 8,483 motorcycles were impounded for plying restricted routes, while 4,406 vehicles were contravened for commuting on BRT corridor.
“On children and gender related matters, 381 cases of rape/defilement, domestic violence, sexual harassment and indecent assault were recorded with 345 suspects arrested. Out of the suspects arrested, 311 have had their days in court while others are still under investigation.”
Odumosu said that the command also recorded 21 cases of stolen vehicles but recovered 59 vehicles stolen. He said that 249 cases of defilement and rape were also recorded while 250 suspected rapists were arrested. He added that the command also apprehended 4,406 social miscreants also known as Area Boys and charged 4,029 of them to court.
On the need to adequately equip, feed and kit the police, Blogun said to fully kit one policeman with uniform, taser, tactical gear (light, Knife, jacket, belt, gloves, Knee, shoulder, ankle, and boots) bulletproof vest, ballistic helmet, tear gas, push-to-talk on cellular communication equipment, rain gear, etc., will cost at least Three Million Naira per officer.
He said: “Hence to kit 33,000 police officers ‘n Lagos will cost about Ninety Nine Billion Naira (N99,000,000,000.00). This is our reality if we truly wanta highly motivated, and fully equipped police force in the State. It is clear that we are just scratching the surface but like it is asked “how do you eat an elephant?” – one bite at a time. Understanding the problem is Key to proffering a solution. The Fund has about fifteen years of experience and Knowledge in objectively studying the problem and we can provide the necessary guidance to reach the Promised Land. What we need is finance. It is as simple as that.
“Truth be told, the needs of security agencies are endless as they are expected to be prepared for every single possible crime scenario. Often most people do not see how simple solutions to a problem such as providing sniffer dogs creates a whole new expenditure matrix such as housing, feeding, training, health care and even providing special protection details for the dogs from drug barons who would seek to kill them. Keeping these dogs alone is a very expensive endeavor but the K-9 unit is not too advanced to be included in our security architecture in the state.”
Balogun added that the security agencies require advanced training, more equipment that would support an intelligence-led approach to crime prevention.
