RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos.
The introduction of new varying crime prevention strategies, which include the expansion of the Tactical Teams, are factors responsible for reduction of crime in Lagos, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Olohundare Moshood Jimoh has said.
Jimoh disclosed that four additional Tactical Teams were created upon his assumption of office, thereby increasing the number to twenty five.
The Commissioner of Police who made the disclosure while fielding questions during his familiarisation tour of Area “B” Command Apapa, identified the Blue Line Squad as one of the newly created Tactical Teams.
In addition, he said the Eko Strike Force was also created to compliment the efforts of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
His words, ” When i came into office, the crime situation was not alarming, but we have introduced a varying degree of intervention and control strategies that have reduce crime and criminality, and one of them is the expansion of the tactical teams.
“We have 21 in place before, we have broadened them now to be 25 and one of them is the Blue Line. The Blue Line came up when we have reports that when people are boarded from rail station, they are being attacked. So they’re specifically to ensure the protection of travelers and we’ve been doing marvelously well. So that’s part of the strategy that have not been there before.
” I also set up what we call the Eco-Strike Force. The Eco-Strike Force is not to rival the RRS, it’s to complement them. The RRS we know is an elite group, and they’ve been doing wonderfully well, but we need another level of the strike force that can take what they are doing to a higher level. So the Eco-Strike Force comes in as an intervention force. They are based in Surulere, which makes them to have access easily to the Island and the Mainland, and we put a Chief Superintendent of Police in charge, the Chief Superintendent of Police has a lot of experience in that regard.”
He explained that the intervention teams, which have been streched to seven are composed of Police Mobile Force operatives.
“While the Eco-Strike Force will be seen, the intervention teams will serve as covert and we have grown from 5 to 7 teams now. They are all Mobile Policemen and we all know what mobile can do. They go in there, clear the situation, and return to their base”, he emphasised.
In her welcome address earlier, the Commander in charge Area “B” Command, ACP Onwuamaegbu Onyinye stressed that the visit of the Commissioner of Police is not only a reflection of his strong leadership, but also a testament of his commitment to law and order across the command.
Adding that the visit is also a morale booster, Onwamaegbu emphasised that the strong dedication and professionalism of officers and men of the Area Command and support of the State Police Command is a motivating factor for operatives of the Area Command to continue to work tirelessly in ensuring the safety of residents, business and critical infrastricturein the area.
She however identified the challenges of her Command to include shortage of manpower, needs for Operational Vehicles, Armor Personnel Carrier and more Anti Riot Equipment/ Logistics.
The occasion was graced by eminent dignatories which include the Oluwa of Iwa & Apapa Kingdom, HRM Oba Atanda Amodu Tijani, representative of the monarch of Ojora & Iganmu kingdom HRM Oba Abdulfatai Aromire, chairman of Community Development Committee (CDC) Apapa Iganmu LCDA Mr. Azeez Okeola, Chief Security Officer to the Chairperson of Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Mr. Abiodun Olofa, chairman Police Community Relations Committee, Apapa chapter and others.