Rise In Robbery Incidents In Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has admitted a rise in robbery attacks in the state.

In the statistics released by the state Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali yesterday at the 5th Town Hall meeting of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, he revealed that armed robbery incidents increased from 48 in 2010 to 61 this year.

The Lagos police boss disclosed that 19 policemen were shot dead by robbers in the last one year as against three policemen killed by robbers in 2010.

Alkali disclosed further that 522 armed robbers were arrested in 2011 as against 476 arrested in 2010, while 164 armed robbers were killed by the police this year as against 124 robbers killed last year.

The police recovered 328 arms in 2011 as against 303 arms in 2010. He added that 3,553 ammunition were recovered this year as against 2,123 ammunition recovered in 2010.

The statistics also revealed that 1,187 vehicles were recovered out of the 1,448 stolen this year. 819 vehicles were stolen in 2010.

The Lagos police boss said 204 murder cases were recorded by the police in 2010 while 319 murder cases were reported this year.

“We are aware that 2011 has been particularly challenging compared to 2009 and 2010, as indeed, it has been countrywide; in many cases more worse than now. And what we can say with confidence is that the existence of this fund has enable our security agencies to give adequate response and bring the situation under control,” Governor Babatunde Fashola disclosed at the occasion.

“Sadly, we have also lost a total of 124 policemen in encounters with armed robbers between January 2007 and September 2011. We should honour their memory by pledging more support for their comrades in arms for in spite of the dangers, these security personnel have continued to respond to distress calls once they are alerted,” he added.

Fashola stated that the gathering was not only to render an account “but invite everyone to commit to a renewed investment to out-spend, out-think, out-manouvre and defeat those who threaten the society by their pursuit of illicit undertakings.”

The governor said the meeting was called to challenge the resolve made by the state government in 2007 about securing the state. He called on everyone to acknowledge that crime is a threat to their businesses and their lives.

Fashola enumerated the state’s unceasing investment to sustain security since 2007, adding that in 2011 alone, the state provided 10 armoured personnel carriers (APC), 60 high powered motor bikes and 50 patrol vehicles and six boats, as well as securing approval for five new area commands which it intends to build in 2012.

“We hope that from this meeting, we will raise enough money to provide five hundred more vehicles, 200 more patrol bikes and at least 20 more Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC),” he added.

According to the governor, the security of lives and the protection of property is the primary responsibility of the administration as the people’s representatives in government. He stressed that partnership with the private sector and other stakeholders would yield more results.

“Our recourse to you today is an acknowledgement of the impact and success that your participation brought about at the time of an imminent security crisis. Our biggest challenge today is to elicit a similar or better response from you today at a time when things have improved, so that we can act pro-actively as we did four years ago.

“Your voluntary contributions from today by way of cash, vehicles and provision of fuel or any service that will improve our capacity will be the strongest possible statement we all can make about our determination to secure and protect the place we all call home,” he stated.

He warned property owners who harbor criminals that if apprehended, the Certificate of Occupancy of such property would be revoked while the property will be acquired for public use.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Security Trust Fund, Chief Remi Makanjuola who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Olusegun Kazeem said the greatest challenge facing the trust fund is about sustaining what it has built over the years.

“The continuing and future effectiveness of our security model lies in our hands. Our collective resolve backed up with the continued generous contributions to the Lagos State Security Trust is for now, our only option,” he said.

— Kazeem Ugbodaga