The continuous invasion of Lagos and Ogun communities by gunmen suspected to be members of the Niger Delta militant group has caused panic in the region as the Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni has disclosed that residents of the attacked communities have lost faith and trust in the Nigerian Police Force.
Recall that the Ogun state commissioner of police, Abdulmajid Ali some weeks ago cried out that the militants were migrating from the Niger Delta region and looking to settle in parts Ogun and Lagos State.
Abdulmajid Ali said: “The militants are finding it difficult in Niger Delta and Ikorodu area of Lagos State. They are now moving to our side in Ogun”.
The Lagos State CP aired his concern while speaking at the 2016 Stakeholders Forum themed: “Toward a Lagos Island CBD Renaissance: Meaningful Insights and Commitment” organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District (CBD).
The Police Commissioner ably represented at the function by the Chief Superintendent of Police, Olusegun Ajamolaya, the Divisional Police Officer of Victoria Island said: “The major problem we have now is for the citizens to have trust in us; they do not trust the police they have. They believe that if they give information to the police, they will sell out. And due to this, the maximum cooperation we should get from the citizens is lacking.
“We believe that larger percent of the reasons acclaimed by the residents were stereotype. The Nigerian police are evolving daily. We want you to have faith in us and I believe that we will not disappoint you,” Owoseni added. He argued that when information are divulged earlier, it would aid crime prevention, noting “crime prevention is the key to achieving a safe and secured society. If we are able to achieve that, other aspect of policing is secondary”.
He added: “This is because we will be proactive and not reactive. Owoseni said the level of insecurity in the country demanded that “everyone must be alert; that is why we are promoting community policing. Nigerians Police is not effective; we work day and night to ensure that the state is safe.
“Policing Lagos is a big task especially as it concerns the population, the mode of crime committed and the unemployment rate in the state. That is why we have adopted to proactive and not the reactive strategy”.