…Says, ‘The Inspector General of Police has injected other special forces to bridge the gap and complement the efforts of the security architecture.
…Advises citizenry to stay home and stay safe as ‘lockdown is in the best interest of the people’
Zone 2 is one of the most active zones in the administrative structure and supervisory function of the Nigerian Police. The Zone which comprises Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital and Ogun state, one of the rapidly increasing states in the federation is meeting the security needs of over 25 million Nigerians living and working in the zone. This means that unlawful activity is expected to be high but the Police system is on top of the game.
In fact, during the current lockdown as occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic in the two states, there has been an increase in activities of criminal elements. In charge of the zone, AIG Ahmed Iliyasu will not tolerate that. And that is why he was recently on tour of the border of both states with the Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun, CP Hakeem Odumosu and CP Kenneth Ebrimson respectively on 9th April 2020 where he assured the public of their safety and security of lives and properties within and beyond the lockdown.
In a separate interview which he granted on 14th April, 2020 to Trek Africa Newspaper’s Managing Editor, Oki Samson during the official Presentation of his Award received at the recently held “Trek Africa Real Estate Summit and Expo” Organized by Real Estate Reporters at Oriental Hotel in Lekki for his uninfectious commitment and dedication to the protection of Lives and Properties in Zone 2 and by extension, Nigeria. AIG Ahmed Iliyasu added that there is no society that is free of encumbrance but the police is quickly responding to the security lapses. ‘It is only in a utopian society that you won’t have one issue or another. We have injected strategic and tactical approaches to attack the hoodlums. Whoever is carrying cudgels, machete or any weapon in a mob action is a criminal. We currently have nothing less than 300 hoodlums between Lagos and Ogun.’
He added: ‘The Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun are moving round to hold conversation with inhabitants of Agege, Alimosho, Dopemu, Alagbado, Akute, Ijoko, and Ifo to interface with the people. The Inspector General of Police has injected other special forces to bridge the gap and complement the efforts of the security architecture. I think stability has returned to about 85%.’
The Zonal Police boss then advised on the use of social media: ‘Some people only go to social media to say whatever they like but don’t know the devastating effect. Negative information can never help anyone. It will only lead to anarchy. I appeal to the traditional institutions and our youths on social media that this is the time we need positive information. I also appeal to the citizenry that the lockdown is in the best interest of the people, let’s stay home and stay safe.’