How We Eradicate Bank Robbery in Lagos By CP Odumosu

AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY CP HAKEEM OLUSEGUN ODUMOSU,
psc, FCIA, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, LAGOS STATE
POLICE COMMAND, DURING THE LAGOS CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
AND INDUSTRY’S ”2021 SECURITY MEETS BUSINESS DIALOGUE
SERIES”, HELD AT THE COMMERCE HOUSE, VICTORIA ISLAND,
LAGOS ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021.
PROTOCOLS!!!

I am extremely delighted and honoured to be a Special Guest at
this laudable and security-oriented meeting organized by the
foremost Nigeria economic pillar, Lagos Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (LCCI), to dissect and dialogue on the moves that
are prerequisites to creating secured business environment for
our economic growth in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State, the
heartbeat of African Economy.
In history, the LCCI, which was established on December 5, 1888,
with 14 members, is the pioneer chamber of commerce in Lagos
State and has recorded a large number of achievements over the
years, in the development of economy of Lagos State and by extension, Nigeria. The body has grown in size to more than
2,500 members as at today.

The overwhelming commitments of
the LCCI towards sustainable growth of commerce and industry
in Lagos State and more importantly the ongoing dialogue series
of the day cannot be quantified.

Without mincing words, the 2021 dialogue series, of “Security
Meets Business”, is as timely and pertinent as ever. I am
optimistic and certain that the series will assist the Government
and Stakeholders in trade and industry to have a clearer understanding of security situation in Lagos State and fine-tune a way forward. It is hopeful that, the robust outcome of this
dialogue will definitely catalyze better and more secured business platforms and environment for both local and foreign investors towards actualizing their business plans successfully in
Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
Specifically, I seek your indulgence to limit my address to the
security situation in Lagos State which is my area of responsibilities. My paper will duel on security challenges and
strategies emplaced by the Command that have been making the
State secured and a fertile ground for growth in business
investment for local and foreign investors.

OVERVIEW OF SECURITY SITUATION IN LAGOS STATE

Generally, the security situation in Lagos State calls for no worry
or fear. The Lagos State Police Command, under my watch, in
collaboration with other security agencies in Lagos State, have
built and sustained solid security architecture which has
positively influenced public safety and economic growth in the
State.

Without mincing words, the 2021 dialogue series, of “Security
Meets Business”, is as timely and pertinent as ever. I am optimistic and certain that the series will assist the Government and Stakeholders in trade and industry to have a clearer
understanding of security situation in Lagos State and fine-tune a way forward. It is hopeful that, the robust outcome of this dialogue will definitely catalyze better and more secured business platforms and environment for both local and foreign
investors towards actualizing their business plans successfully in
Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
Specifically, I seek your indulgence to limit my address to the
security situation in Lagos State which is my area of responsibilities. My paper will duel on security challenges and
strategies emplaced by the Command that have been making the
State secured and a fertile ground for growth in business
investment for local and foreign investors.
OVERVIEW OF SECURITY SITUATION IN LAGOS STATE
Generally, the security situation in Lagos State calls for no worry or fear. The Lagos State Police Command, under my watch, in collaboration with other security agencies in Lagos State, have
built and sustained solid security architecture which has positively influenced public safety and economic growth in the
State.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you are not unaware of the
general security challenges that are noticeable in Lagos which
include armed robbery, cultism, robbery-in-traffic, gangsterism, land grabbing, cyber-crimes, and lately traffic gridlock. These security challenges are however not insurmountable as the Command has thrived hard in arresting perpetrators and curbing the challenges as required of us. In this regard, the Command,
with its anti-crime strategies and the help of the general public,
has recorded an appreciable number of achievements from
January, 2021 till date. The achievements recorded across the
state in the period under review are as follows:

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS
FROM 1ST JANUARY, 2021 TILL DATE
LAGOS STATE POLICE COMMAND, IKEJA.

In summary, between January 2021 till date; the Command
arrested four hundred and ninety-three (493) armed robbers
(including traffic robbers), three hundred and ninety-seven (397)
cultists and one hundred and eighty six (186) suspects for
murder cases. In the same vein, one hundred and sixty robbery
(160) incidents perpetrated by the hoodlums were foiled, while
six (6) residential robberies were successful but no life lost in
any of these. In addition, the Command was able to recover forty
(40) stolen vehicles: ninety-eight (98) arms and two hundred and
forty-three (243) various calibers of ammunitions: eleven (11)
dangerous weapons and some illicit drugs.
Other notable achievements recorded by the Command are as
indicated below:-

i. CASE OF CONSPIRACY AND STEALING
On 12/03/2021, the Managing Director of LANCE Trend Ltd, an
information technology, sales and services company, located at Ketu,
discovered that, the Marketing Manager of the company, named Omotosho
Olanrewaju stole computers and accessories valued at Forty-six(46)
million naira and later absconded. The suspect was later tracked and
arrested by the Police detectives in a house at Lekki where he was taking
refuge. Parts of the stolen computers worth ten (10) million naira were
recovered. Suspect has been arraigned in court.

ii. CASE OF CONSPIRACY AND ARMED ROBBERY
On 20/04/2021 at about 2120hrs the company driver of SIMS Nig. Ltd,
while on transit to deliver some refrigerators and other company’s
products was attacked by hoodlums at Toyota Bus Stop, along Oshodi/Mile
2 Expressway. Seven of the refrigerators were robbed. However,
concerted efforts of the Police detectives led to the arrest of five of the
suspects and recovery of some of the refrigerators. The suspects have
been charged to court.
iii CASE OF CONSPIRACY AND STEALING
On the 5/11/2021, two suspects namely Gabriel Arugba ‘m’ age 44yrs and
Albert Agbor ‘m’ age 39yrs bought 285,000 litres of AGO product valued
at Forty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N47,800,000:00)
from Eterna Oil and Gas Plc, located at No. 5A, Oba Ade Oyekan Avenue
Ikoyi with a Bank Guarantee (BG) instrument as a collateral for the
purchase and delivery. The BG was later discovered to be forged by the
company. As soon as they were loaded with the products, the suspects
disappeared and switched off their phones leaving no trace. The suspect
with other cohorts were later tracked and arrested at Abuja, Jos, and
Lagos. The suspects were later arraigned in court.
iv. ARREST OF BANK HACKERS TO THE TUNE OF N1.87 BILLION
On 02/08/2021, operatives of the SCID Panti Yaba, arrested one Salau
Abdulmalik Femi ‘m’ age 38yrs. Christian, an IT expert and the kingpin of a
syndicate that specializes in hacking into the server of banks and
corporate agencies. The hacker, who displayed exemplary mastery of the
cyber environment, was arrested after he hacked the Flex-Cube Universan
Banking System (FCUBS) of a First – Generation Bank. Using application
software, he created fictitious credits totaling one billion, eight hundred
sixty-eight million, nine hundred thousand naira (N1,868,900,000:00) on
the accounts of three (3) of the banks customers to other banks. Items
recovered from the suspect includes; two (2) laptops (MSIGS75 & Allen
Ware 17), one (1) Nigeria passport, ZTE Modem, and iPhone. The case has
since been transferred to special fraud unit of the Police.

These are just a few of the business related crimes that were recorded
and successfully handed by the Command.
It is pertinent to inform the gathering that, the ugly incident of
the violent 2020 #ENDSARS protest actually exposed the crop
of miscreants who have found their ways into Lagos and threaten
the security of the State. This is why the Command has been
raiding them in hundreds and charging them to court. With the
accelerated moves of the Command and partnering with the
judiciary in Lagos State, we are flushing them out of the
circulation and keeping them where the law prescribes. This is a
continuous process that would be sustained to keep Lagos safe.
In similar vein, the menaces being perpetrated by Okada
operators to aid crimes and criminality in the State are
worrisome. The Command has briefed the State Government on
this trend with a view to arresting the situation and making the
State safe. I am not unaware of the efforts of the State
Government to curb this. As a result, the recalcitrant criminally
minded riders are daily being dealt with according to the law by
the Command. Their operations within central business districts,
banks and other business environments are daily being curtailed.
So far, three thousand, seven hundred (3,700) motorcycles have
been impounded and crushed in line with the order of the court
within this period.
t is no longer news that the State is also experiencing heavy
traffic in major areas due to series of ongoing road
rehabilitation/construction across the State. The situation has
on several occasions slow down the economic progress with so
many man-hours being lost on the roads across the State. Also,
the hoodlums at times capitalize on the gridlock occasioned by
the road reconstructions to attack motorists.
The Command is not overwhelmed by this recurring decimal as
both the Federal and State Ministry of Works and Transport and
the contractors handling some of the projects have been
engaged to shift the road work to less traffic peak periods,
particularly, at night time while the Police provide adequate
security coverage for them. The Local Governments Chairmen,
Landlords and the Community Development Association Leaders
have been implored to always keep their street gates open so as
to serve as alternative routes for diversion of traffic. These
measures have gone a long way to alleviating the traffic
challenges and enhance the movement of people while carrying
out their daily business and commercial activities across the
State.
The Command is also aware of the ripple effect of drug abuse
and misuse on the general security trend of Nigeria and
specifically in Lagos State. Recently, the Command was able to recover illicit and dangerous drugs of various kinds, in multiples,
during its operations in some areas of the State. This is
detrimental to the security setting of the State. Based on
constant interviews and investigations, the command often
discovered that, some of the arrested miscreants become
hyperactive and engage in criminal activities which are triggered
by drug abuse and misuse. These are being thoroughly tackled in
all ramifications. The suspects and the exhibits so far recovered
have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency for necessary action. This is the practicability of synergy
between our agencies. To curb this trend, the Command has
commenced sensitization of the public, particularly, the youths
on the dangers inherent in drug abuse.
Of important to state is that, the spate of bank robbery which
were hitherto been past time in Lagos State has with the coming
of my administration in the command, become a thing of the past,
as no single bank robbery has taken place. This as gone a long way
in stabilizing the banking environment and investment/ lodgment
of the business community has been growing in leaps and bonds.
Very importantly too, no life of staff or customer of business
community has been lost to bank robbery in the state. Strategist
that the command put in place to stop this and which has stopped
this trend shall continue to be strengthened.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, permit me to state
that, in line with the adopted anti-crime strategies being
emplaced by the Command and spirited efforts of the
Government and good people of Lagos State, Lagos State is very
easy to be effectively policed to suit our targeted aims and
objectives on its socio-economic turn-around and development.
POSSIBLE WAY FORWARD
The Command has critically examined the security challenges in
Lagos State and proffered possible solutions that are crucial to
sustainable security, public safety and economic growth in Lagos
State. They include but not limited to:
1. The formal and informal security structures of the State are
being strengthened. That is, the State Government (Police
and Other Statutory Security Agencies) and other
neighbourhood security units in the State always collaborate
to fight our common enemies with a view to promoting
peaceful and conducive business environment in the State.
2. The Lagos State Government continuous supports to all its
security apparatus is being solicited by the Command. This will
continue to encourage them to discharge their duties even
beyond expectations.
3. Stakeholders in business cycle are advised to key into the
DAWN (Development Agenda for Western Nigeria) which has designed robust action plans for the States in the south-west
to promote security and development including night economy
so as to promote the general economy of the region. This
agenda could be considered by other regions in Nigeria too.
4. Use of private guards and registered security operatives to
complement the police and other formal security agencies are
being encouraged by the Command. You are implored to take
the free service rendered by the Police, to take your
employees to any Police Division or Area Command where your
business entity is domiciled to enable them profile such staff
for record purposes. This will serve as deterrent to commit
crimes and/or make it possible to track them down when
crime is committed.
5. Involvement of private firms and individuals/experts in
promoting security via donations and provision of logistics to
assist the Government and its agencies is necessary at this
time.
6. LCCI and other commercial agencies/institutions to
collaborate with relevant established security and anti-graft
bodies to project policies and enforce the laws to protect
business in Nigeria, and Lagos State in particular.
7. LCCI and others concerned with businesses are to partner
service providers and delegated agencies to curb cybercrimes and frauds at all cost.
8. LCCI should constantly organize dialogue series of this kind
and embark on regular enlightenment programmes for their members and concerned partners in the area of security. This
should be done at least twice in a year, if not quarterly, as
against current time of once in a year. This, if periodically
carried out, will always bring in current/fresh ideas in tandem
with occurrences as crime pattern changes.
9. Another strategy being implemented by the Command is
security summit that is organized from Area Command to
Area Command. This always have in attendance business
moguls stakeholder, traditional rulers, Governments officials
etc. in the divisions in the Area Commanders area of
responsibilities. Security and business related issues were
discussed, dissected and solutions proffered. This has gone a
long way in satisfying business/company promoters and
stabilized and saved their business. The Command shall
extend its invitation to the LCCI whenever it is the turn of
Lagos Island/Victoria Island/Ikoyi security summit.
10. LCCI to share security tips and distress call lines with their
staffers and business partners in order to fortify synergy
among them and security operatives/systems. (Find attached
copy of regular security tips for your action).
CONCLUSION
Following the aforementioned issues and security matters, I want
to believe that the participants at this dialogue have been
greatly blessed and acquired the wherewithal to step ahead in
their respective business enclaves and security consciousness.
The efforts of the Command and other security agencies as well
as stakeholders towards better and more secured business
environment are fundamental for having expected paradigm shift.
Finally, I wish to appeal to all and sundry in Lagos State to
collaborate with the police and other security operatives in their
continuous efforts in curbing crimes and criminality in the State.
In conclusion, I wish to appreciate the organizers of this
dialogue, LCCI, for counting me worthy to address this meeting
and share my thoughts with them with a view to solidifying the
required synergy to improve economic situation of Lagos State.
My special appreciation also goes to the Inspector-General of
Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, NPM, fdc, for his leadership
quality and unflinching supports to the Lagos State Police
Command. Also, my special appreciation goes to Mr. Babajide
Olusola Sonwo-Olu, the Government and good people of Lagos
State for their constant supports and commitment to having a
safe Lagos. We cannot take their support for granted as we
promise to add more pep in promoting and escalating peace which
is being enjoyed by all and sundry in Lagos State.
Thank you for your attention.