The police and other security agencies in Lagos
State have said they will deal decisively with
anyone found with arms during any political
gathering in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP
Edgal Imohimin, said this on Tuesday while
briefing newsmen on the activities of the Inter-
Agency Consultative Committee ahead of the
forthcoming general elections.
The press conference was also attended by the
INEC’s REC for the state,Mr Sam Olumeko, and
the heads of other security agencies.
“I have ordered all Area Commanders and
Divisional Police Officers to, henceforth, face
anyone found to be armed with firearms at
political gathering with proportional force which
may be the use of arms when necessary.
“We assure Lagosians that we have made
adequate security arrangements and what we
expect of them is their cooperation,†he said.
Edgal, who is the chairman of the committee, said
that the meeting was about security preparations
for the 2019 elections which will cover before,
during and after.
He said that the meeting had the mission not
only to analyse critically but to come out with a
clear blue print that would be acceptable by all
and sundries.
According to Edgal, the blueprint will also be
accountable, be professional and not be practiced
outside the law.
“Already, there is the crime analysis of zones and
independent analyses by other security agencies.
INEC has also commissioned experts to do its
own assessment.
“Today, we are looking at some of these
independent and security agencies’ assessments
of crimes in the state and we will come up with
strategies that will make these areas calm.
“We want to deliver to Lagosians a peaceful state
where they can cast their votes without any form
of harassment,†he said.
The police boss said they had done their
appraisal and strategised on what was expected
to be done to boost security in the state,
stressing that they had updated their plans.
“We will employ more manpower and resources
as we have been briefed adequately by other
security agencies.
“We, hereby, call on Lagosians to be vigilant as
we have gotten information that some people are
planning to enter the state and impersonate
security agents during the elections and that they
have sewn uniforms.
“The advice is that they jettison the idea as we
have put in place overt and covert measures to
arrest the perpetrators and they will be made to
face the full wrath of the law.
“Our waterways are also being monitored by the
police in partnership with the Navy and the
locals. This effort will also be reciprocated on
land.
“The learning points have been taken into
recognition and there will be no repeat of what
happened in the past.
“Every rally will now be handled with
methodological strategy whereby people will be
screened from carrying light arms,†he said.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for
the state , Mr Sam. Olumekun, said that the
meeting was about security preparation for the
elections and that he believed the police would be
active.
“We have a detailed deployment profile of those
who will be deployed for security during the
elections which is commendable.
Police, Army, others in show of force in
Lagos
`We will start training them and we assure
Lagosians that we are determined to conduct a
free and fair election,†he said.
The police , the military, INEC officials and other
security agencies in Lagos participated in the
meeting.
Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/
elections-possession-of-weapons-at-rallies-will-
not-be-condoned-in-lagos-cp/
