Security agencies comprising the police, army, civil defence and vigilance groups have established a synergy to combat the incipient upsurge of crime in Lagos and Ogun states as a result of the lockdown ordered by the federal and state governments to curb the spread of Covid-19.
During the initial two weeks lockdown, there were incidents of robberies in various parts of the states. The situation has however spiked immediately after the announcement of an additional two weeks of restriction by the President. Immediately after the announcement, violence erupted in Shasha, Orisunbare, Idimu, Ejigbo and environs.
Areas such as Iyana-Ipaja, Igando, Ikotun, and other parts of Lagos which have been battling a notorious criminal gang, “one million boys”, also experienced increased attacks. The criminal gang had in a message, warned the residents of Surulere against resisting the group’s operations – threatening unpleasant outcome for resistance and failure to yield to their demands.
The Lagos Police Command took to Twitter to denounce the gang and other criminals, stating;
“The Police have received series of calls from residents in Idimu, Igando, Ikotun, etc, that the “one million boys” are planning to attack the communities. The Police responded with massive deployment of Police patrol teams to beef up security of the area.”
The Command stated further through a tweet that “The IG of Police has also deployed DIG Peter Ogunyanwo to Lagos in order to have a clear assessment of the situation in Lagos and Ogun and also coordinate the operations against such criminal elements. Special forces have also been deployed to support tactical units present”
The following telephone numbers were provided by the Police to enable the public to contact the force for information and complaints on security matters: 090-105-12-385 09010512286, 090-105-12-287 09010512288.
The Lagos State Police Command however warned that “Spreading of fake news and rumours pose a lot of dangers to our collective effort of crime prevention and control. Please take some time to verify the source of any info before forwarding it to anyone.”