Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu has declared that he was in the state to ensure it is safe and secure to guarantee the socio- ecomomic well being of residents and enhance their quality of life.

Odumosu said this at his madien press briefing, just as he unveiled the Command’s policing plan for the year.

At the briefing held at the Command’s headquarter in Ikeja, the police boss hinted community based policing will form one of his policy trust.

He posited that its full implementation and other strategies will close the gaps between the police and the people, foster cordial relationship and build strong and effective partnerships.

In addition, visibility policing, prompt response to distress calls, Intelligence led policing approach, professional and unbiased investigation of criminal cases and diligent prosecution are part of the planned strategies.

They include respect for and protection of human rights, zero tolerance for corruption, multi agencies collaboration, capacity building for Officers and Men of the Command and enhanced welfare package.

The dogged crime burster however said this will be achieved through evolving a more courageous, dedicated, humane and professional police officers in the State.

Speaking further, Odumosu pointed out that the last 55 days were quite eventful and tasking for the command, noting that the first major challenge he met was traffic gridlocks in different parts of the state which has a strong link with traffic related crimes such as traffic robbery.

On how he tackled the menace, ” I summoned an emergency meeting of all Area Commanders, Area Operation Officers, State Traffic Officers, Divisional Traffic Officers and Traffic Officers in the Command. We collectively identified the major causes of traffic congestions in the affected areas and agreed on workable solutions.

Because of the urgency the situation presented, I declared a state of emergency on traffic and followed it up with the deployment of additional 1000 Police Officers for traffic duties.
We equally reviewed their reporting and closing time to 10am and 10pm against the initial 6am and 6pm so as to meet up with traffic peak periods.

I had a meeting with other stakeholders in security and traffic management where we agreed on multi agencies collaborations.

The Command, with the support of Lagos State Government deployed 200 Motorcycles to various parts of the state for traffic control and to also combat the menace of traffic robbery. We took a step forward by reintroducing the Mobile Court system to prosecute traffic laws violators.

This was done with the support of Lagos State Judiciary and Ministry of Justice Lagos State. Our mantra remains “Traffic must flow in Lagos State”, he disclosed.

He hinted that the operations successfully prosecuted 75 traffic violators and impounded 75 vehicles.

Amongst the offenders, he said 28 were arrested for driving against traffic (one way) while the rest were arrested for indiscriminate parking and causing obstructions by clubbers and customers of some factories.

” From the feedbacks received from citizens and eminent personalities in the State, it is gratifying to state that, the traffic situation is improving on daily basis. That also informed the free flow of traffic and zero traffic robbery incident experienced during the yuletide period”, the astute super cop stated.

In order to consolidate on the gains recorded so far, Odumosu said additional one thousand personnel were injected into the operation.