CP Imohimi lampoons officers, says most problems emanate from policemen

By OKOSUN DENNIS

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Edgal Oluwole Imohimi, on Thursday blew hot as he blamed them for most of the problems encountered in policing.

He said such misconducts make the general public to have mutual disrespect for the force.

CP Imohimi spoke at the National Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) during his maiden Town Hall Security/Safety and Police-Public-Partnerships meeting of all stakeholders in Area “A” Police Command, Lagos.

The police boss observed that “most of the problems emanated from police themselves –problems of corruption, human right abuses, unlawful detention and torture.

During my watch, I will not tolerate those vices. Henceforth, every policeman’s inaction that impede on human rights; would be investigated transparently and such reports submitted would be made known to the public.”

While emphasising the role of community policing, he called on all stakeholders to ensure a crime free society stressing that the police must partner the public to get the right information that would help deal with emerging security problems.

“We have been having problems with violent crimes, youth restiveness, cultism, disobedience to the rule of law. I beg you parents and guardians that are today please listen to me: When you get home, draw the ears of your children. Any cult member arrested with firearms, I have asked my men to use firearms against them.

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“We have lost a lot of children. We cannot allow such senseless killings through cultism to continue. Where were we when these children started joining cult and acquiring arms and brandishing them? We must engage the community to provide security and our environment safer,” CP Imohimi warned.

To make policing less laborious, CP Imohimi further appealed to Community Development Associations (CDAs) to invite Divisional Police Officers to their meetings and pass useful information to the police that would assist them become more efficient.

“Crime waves in highway have declined but there are increases in robbery in the neighbourhood and cultism. DPO and Area Commanders must reach out to communities, traditional rulers.  I enjoin you to set up vigilante group and such group must have three armed policemen attached to them. This is compulsory.

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“I beg for vigilance. Let us not forget the peace we are enjoying now so that it will not be lost if we fail to guide it. You must be vigilant at home, street, market and supermarket, churches and mosques, when driving or wherever you are. The key to policing Lagos is vigilance.”