Lagos CP Jimoh Pays Familiarization Tour To Area F Command; Hails ACP Paul Okafor As ‘Authentic Area Commander’ • Laud DPOs, PCRC on effective community policing 

 

The Lagos CP thanked the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun for the opportunity to serve in Lagos Command. ‘Also I thank the Lagos Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the support to the Police while commending the LSSTF for the immense support in terms of infrastructure.’

He commended all the DPOs under Area F for co-operating with their Area Commander ACP Paul Okafor whom he described as ‘authentic Area Commander.’ He thanked members of the PCRC for the co-operation between them and the DPOs. He noted: ‘Unlike other States, where PCRC leaders would write various petitions against the DPOs because of disagreement and communication issues, you are better. I specifically thank the National Chairman of the PCRC, Alhaji Mogaji for the roles that the PCRC played before, during and after the EndSARS issue. The PCRC were the ones in the forefront of engaging the communities.’

 

The CP assured Lagosians, ‘we will continue to strive to promote the peace, unity, security of lives and properties. I urge the public to always provide information to the Police. This would help us to address any concerns immediately.’

The CP charged his officers and men, ‘continue to be professional in your conduct and duty, be dedicated, be good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force and the IGP. Shun corruption and bribery. Respect members of the public and have a sense of honor to the nation and the Force.’

 

In his welcome address earlier, to the Lagos CP who paid the sensitization visit, the Area F Police Commander, ACP Paul Azuka Okafor expressed his pleasure and excitement to welcome the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command and to appreciate his laudable achievements since the assumption of office in Lagos. The State Command, Okafor observed, has gone through complex and sensitive situations since the coming of CP Moshood Jimoh. He noted that Area F witnessed relative peace and minimal fatality to the admiration and commendation of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the international community and the general public.

 

He then spoke about his own jurisdiction. ‘The Area F Police Command was created on the 13th of August, 1999. However, over the years, Area F has witnessed a corresponding growth in strength and structure to 9 divisions, namely Ikeja, Alausa, Ojodu, Makinde, ManCenter, Akinpelu, Shogunle, Mosafejo, and Ilupeju, with four police posts and a total of 927 personnel. As one of the most sensitive area commands in Lagos State, due to the parastatals, it includes Lagos State Government House, Lagos State Judiciary, the Military cantonment, Air Force base, Lagos State House of Assembly, Lagos State General Hospital, the Police College, the Police Training School PTS, and the Police Command Headquarters. We also have some very strategic business entities in our area.’

‘Area F is very strategic in terms of security, and it is gratifying to inform the Commissioner of Belief that Area F has been relatively calm and peaceful. Major crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, bank robbery, and some recycled bank crimes have been tackled headlong. In the midst of this, Area F has enjoyed the grace of God, and all relative importance are made. My DPOs are been very effective and smartly working. Collaboration with the various security strategic partners, synergy with staff, security agents, PCRC, and members of the public, hence the achievement of a relatively calm Area F operation. All these achievements could not have been possible without the high leadership qualities and close mandatory mentorship which has been enjoyed by the Area Command since your resumption as CP Lagos. The Area F Command has not only caved in to your policy of intelligence and visibility led policing.’

 

ACP Paul Okafor listed the achievements and challenges of Area F Command. ‘With all sense of modesty, some remarkable achievements of Area F Command. For the period under review, one standing SMG with 44 rounds of ammunition, two stolen vehicles, three stolen vehicles recovered, two suspected armed robbery suspects were arrested with 30 rounds of ammunition. It is pertinent to note some challenges that cannot be overlooked. May I seize this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, and Rt. Hon. James Faleke. For the moral and logistics support always. It would be a disservice if I failed to acknowledge the invaluable support and exemplary leadership of our amiable, dynamic, dependable Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.’

 

He appealed to the Commissioner of Police, ‘We make partial appeal that you use your good office to influence further support for the Area Command, especially in manpower and measures. On our part, we pledge our unalloyed loyalty to the Nigerian Police Force and patriotism to the nation.’

The representative of the PCRC Area F Chairman remarked: ‘We appreciate you for coming to visit us. Area F contains 9 divisions. We know that you are very serious with security issues in this State and we are praying for you. We are here as a community stakeholder.’

 

The Special Adviser (SA) to the Chairman of Ikeja Local Government on Arewa Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu remarked: ‘There is a serious and good relationship between the Arewa community and the DPO in ManCenter Police Station, CSP Ayo Elijah and DPO Ikeja Division, CSP Akinwunmi Oke. For instance, in the Arewa community, there was a time when drugs abuse was a serious problem to us. We have been having different DPOs before then, but we have not seen a result. But the current DPO have helped us tackled many of this challenges and there’s peace in the community now.

 

The Arewa community in Ikeja is drug-free now. I would like to use this opportunity to thank the DPO of ManCenter Police station and also thanked the DPO Ikeja for helping us to bridge the communication gap we’ve been experiencing for years. Two months ago, the DPO of Ikeja division, helped us play a very good role; there was a serious case that happened between a member of the Arewa community and some People who are doing business in computer village, which he called on the leadership and he intervened immediately. So, we’re using this opportunity to appreciate the CP Lagos State, and his team.’

 

The Divisional Police Officers who were present at the CP Jimoh’s visit include DPO Ojodu Division, CSP Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Opadola; DPO Makinde Division, CSP Emmanuel Etuk; DPO Ikeja Division, CSP Akinwunmi Oke; DPO Alausa Division, CSP Shokunbi Toyosi; DPO ManCenter, CSP Ayo Elijah; DPO Mosafejo Division, CSP Adigha Rita; DPO Akinpelu Division, CSP Benedict Eilenbalnagbon; DPO Shogunle Division, CSP Umeozor Emeka; DPO Ilupeju Division, CSP Adeniran John.