24th January, 2022
By Mateen Badru
The new Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Abiodun Alabi, on Monday, assured the residents of the state of visibility policing to keep the state safe from criminals.
While presenting his policing template and strategy during the handing over ceremony at the Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Alabi said that the presence of police would deter criminals in the society.
Alabi, who took over from Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, added that Lagos State is a familiar turf to him having served in the state for many years in different capacities.
“It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome everyone here to my media briefing as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
“It has become necessary to bring to the fore my template and policing vision. Visibility policing and dominance of security space by ensuring the presence of policemen at all times to deter criminals as a preventive measure.
“We will ensure that the Rapid Response Squad(RRS) is encouraged and strengthened to respond promptly and effectively to citizens’ concerns,” he said.
CP Alabi said there would also be respect for fundamental human rights by ensuring that no breach of human rights will be tolerated under his command and watch.
“Our men’s conduct while discharging their duties must conform with our professional ethics especially with issues of corruption and extrajudicial killing and act of incivility to members of the public.
“We will strive to build confidence and trust in members of the public particularly with state actors and non-state actors through intelligence-led community policing.
“Area commanders and Divisional Police Officers will be encouraged to meet regularly with non-state actors to ensure common problems confronting their various areas of responsibilities are collectively addressed,” he said.
However, he added that he would be open to constructive criticisms as it would help improve the policing structure in the state.
“I will not be allergic to constructive criticisms but will see it as information to rejig our security architecture for our policing strategy.
“Therefore, I will encourage collaboration with the fourth estate of the realm and appeal that issues concerning our policing policies in the state are brought to my knowledge promptly.
“Also, I will endeavour to hold parleys with journalists where solutions will be tabled and addressed in amicable manners,” he said.
“Some dedicated lines will be rolled out to members of the public for accessibility and feedback to members of the public on issues of our common safety and security.
“The trends and patterns of crime will continually be monitored to ensure crime mapping of the state to enable us to devise appropriate crime preventing strategies,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CP read the riot act to warring factions in the state when he said gang disturbance would be holistically addressed and those found culpable would face the consequences of their actions.
“I promise to work assiduously with all officers and men of the command to make Lagos safer and more secured for investment and habitation,” he said.
NAN