AIG KOKUMO VISITS LAGOS POLICE COMMAND ON 1-DAY FAMILIARIZATION TOUR; SAYS SECURITY IS ‘BUSINESS THAT CANNOT BE HANDLED WITH LEVITY’ AS CP ODUMOSU REELS OUT COMMAND’S ACHIEVEMENTS

By Oki Samson

Since his assumption of office in May, 2021 as the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 (comprising Lagos and Ogun states), AIG Johnson Kokumo has been vibrant with activities targeted at security and protection of lives and properties. Yesterday, 19th August, he was able to attain his first, official 1-day familiarization tour to the Lagos State Police Command under the administration of CP Hakeem Odumosu.

Speaking during the visit, AIG Johnson Kokumo praised the government of Lagos state for the towering support for Police, ‘I appreciate the government of Lagos state for logistic support of the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Command. I was at the commissioning of vehicles and other operational equipment when our President Muhammadu Buhari visited. I can see that the equipment have been distributed for effective use.’

‘We thank the Lagos State Government for doing this and seize the opportunity to request for more because security is not a business that can be handled with levity. It has to be handled with seriousness. That is why our serious-minded Governor has given us support to do our job. I want to quickly advise that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’, we should resolve within ourselves to curb criminality and reduce it to barest minimum.’

He charged the Police officers and men to desist from getting involved in activities beyond their purview. ‘I want to admonish you to stay clear of civil matters. The criminal matters before us are large in volume. You should avoid dabbling in civil matters under whatever guise.’

He continued: ‘I want to commend the efforts of Commissioner of Police, Lagos in the area of training and of course, the 50-bed accommodation that is under construction. It is highly commendable, please keep it up. Your request for logistic support to IGP Usman Alkali Baba has been taken and I will table your request before him and see what we can possibly do to impact positively in area of logistic support for Lagos State Command. I appreciate the IGP Usman Alkali Baba for giving us all we require to work in Lagos and Ogun states effectively. Everything that we require will be communicated officially.’

Earlier in his welcome address to the visiting superior, Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu stated: ‘The Command has been relatively calm. It has been peaceful and crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and others have been tackled head-on. In the midst of this, the Command through the Grace of God, unrelenting efforts of officers and men, with strategic partners, and synergy of other sister agencies and members of the public have been able to record tremendous achievements to the admiration of the government and good people of Lagos state in particular and the country in general.’

Describing the return of AIG of Zone 2, AIG Johnson Kokumo to Lagos as second home coming since he left Lagos in 2016 as DCP (Operations), he added: ‘All these achievements could not have been possible but for your highly dedicated leadership and close mentorship which you have bestowed on the Command since assumption of duty as Supervisory AIG. The Command has not only keyed into your zero-tolerance for crime and respect for fundamental human rights but has continued to take from your wealth of experience which you have in your magnanimity made available to the Command. This, we shall continue to cherish.’

CP Odumosu presented the record of achievements of the Lagos Command to his superior, AIG Kokumo, ‘Lagos State Command was able to successfully manage the Yoruba Nation rally on 3rd of July to prevent breakdown of law and order in a civilized and professional manner. Also what many pessimists have anticipated will be a major political crisis before, during, and after the recently concluded LG/LCDA polls turned out to be a song of success. It is free, fair, and credible made possible due to the watertight security provided.’

The Lagos CP also noted that there is an ongoing 50-bed space building for the welfare of officers ‘to accommodate officers who were just posted into the state before they are deployed into their various areas and so that they can have a sense of belonging. This is done by the support of law-abiding citizens, associations and stakeholders. It will be completed and ready for use in the next few weeks.’

The Lagos Command which started in 1967 with 4 area commands and 23 divisions has grown into 14 area commands, 110 police divisions, and 74 police posts. The Command is also 17,907-personnel strong and is very strategic to the security of the city reputed to be West Africa’s economic hub. In the year 2021, the men and officers of the Command have gotten 232 armed robbery suspects arrested, 16 armed robbers died in encounter with Police, while 94 arms and 238 ammunitions were recovered. Also, 118 cultists were arrested while 14 cultism cases were recorded, and 176 murder suspects have also been arrested in 148 cases of murder. The 2021 record also showed that 283 suspects have been charged to court, 39 vehicles were recovered and returned to their owners and no life of any policeman was lost.

CP Hakeem Odumosu also thanked Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for the support that the Command has enjoyed so far.

Senior Management team of Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos Police Command management, representative of the Zonal Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Rev. Tosin Shobowale, Lagos PCRC Chairman, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo and many other dignitaries were present at the event to honour the Zonal Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

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