Military deployed in battle against Lagos, Ogun gangs

Difficulty awaits criminals who terrified residents of Lagos and Ogun after the blockade of COVID-19.

Agents from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Directorate of State Services (DSS) will join the Police on the offensive against criminals.

Police inspector general Mohammed Adamu on Monday announced the deployment of special forces in both states.

He promised on Tuesday that he will be tougher on criminals.

Parts of Lagos and Ogun states witnessed an increase in assault attacks last week. Gangs attacking residents and looting shops.

Many residents formed emergency surveillance groups and were forced to maintain surveillance. They set fire to the streets in an attempt to keep criminals at bay as tension increased.

Surveillance groups have also unleashed terror against innocent citizens in the name of the protests.

The police withdrew from the streets of the mainland of Lagos without explanation.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced after a security meeting on Tuesday a revised strategy that “will see an increase in the mobilization of the mobile police in all the problem points in the metropolis; as well as the police stepping up their patrols in residential areas, border communities and other critical areas of activity during this blockade period.

“This will also be done in conjunction with other security agencies – Army, Navy, Air Force and State Security Services Directorate.

“One of our main responsibilities as an administration is the safety, life and property of all citizens, and we will not abandon that responsibility at any time.

“There is no space in Lagos for criminals or criminal gangs of any kind.”

The governor said the criminals were not hungry.

He said they are “opportunistic criminals and will be treated as such by law enforcement agencies”.

The governor added: “We maintained a close and constant communication with the Federal Government on the matter, and the Police IG sent a deputy inspector general of the Police, who is an experienced crime fighter, in Lagos as our police squad coordinator intervention help design and oversee a superior strategy to reduce and contain the real and perceived threat of violence.

About 100 suspects were arrested in 72 hours, he added.

President Muhammadu Buhari, during his broadcast on Monday, instructed security agencies to “maintain maximum vigilance and firmness”.

Speaking during a Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja, the IG said: “Through this, I notify criminals who are going from place to place to give up”.

Adamu said he ordered police commissioners in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun not to allow criminals to commit their heinous crimes against innocent residents during the lockdown.

He asked citizens to report any crime to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in such states.

Recognizing that PPROs’ phone numbers were not available, he promised to publish them immediately.

Residents complained about the lack of security patrols in residential areas, but the IG said he had sent personnel to banks, residential areas and other public places.

“We detach an intervention force in Lagos and Ogun, led by a deputy general inspector of police (DIG) in charge of the area,” insisted the chief of police.

Adamu warned his officers and men against taking bribes to allow those without essential duties to move.

But residents want the words to match the action. They expressed fear that the extent of the lockdown could increase crime.

Residents said attack activities had increased in the Lagos and Ogun neighborhoods, forcing them to keep vigil.

A welder, Mr. Tony Philip, said that the idea of lockdown was laudable, but insecurity and hunger were making treatment challenging.

Another Lagos resident, Brown Asuqwo, said crime has increased in his area since the lockdown.

“We cannot sleep with our eyes closed; residents now watch at night because everyone is afraid of being mugged, ”said Asuqwo.

He urged security officers to increase night patrols in residential areas and properties.

Also on Tuesday, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command (FCT) alerted those providing palliative care to ensure that they have police protection.

FCT PPRO Anjuguri Manzah said in a statement: “This advice is to ensure adequate security protection for those involved in the provision of such altruistic services and to prevent any act that could lead to the violation of law and order.