As suspected militants continue to flee the creeks following onslaught by the military, Lagos residents have been urged to be mindful of those they lease their homes to.

Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni made the appeal Tuesday at Idimu while inaugurating the division’s Eminent Persons Forum (EPF), as well as unveiling the community town hall built at the station.

Owoseni noted that the fleeing militants, who might want to infiltrate other areas, will not only terrorise the residents but also introduce their children to crimes.

According to him, landlords should endeavour to collect passport photographs of their prospective tenants, get duplicate copy of their International passports data page or identity card, as well as investigate them.

He also advised that they should find out their villages and ask to see any of their community members who know them, stressing the need to not be carried away by the money the tenants intend to pay.

The Commissioner who said the police introduced the EPF following the divisions along ethno-religious line that have erupted the country, added that it was the believe of the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris that community policing strategy will help unite the people.

Owoseni also charged transporters in the state to conduct checks on passengers’ luggage before departure, urging them to avail the police information on criminal elements.

“Some criminals have been arrested in motor parks with guns stocked in their bags, while trying to escaped and smuggle their weapons out of the state,” he said.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Civic matters, Kehinde Joseph urged the residents to corporate with the police in fighting crime.

“With the provision of security gadgets by the state government to the police and their being put to use adequately, crime rate has drastically reduced in the state. There is hardly any crime that the police do not uncover in Lagos,” he said.