'Stop Sleeping, wake up' - Police IG to Lagos Policemen

The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, on Monday ordered the policemen attached to Lagos State Police Command to wake up from their “slumber” and ensure security and safety in the state.

 

Abubakar, who was reacting to the reign of terror unleashed by armed robbers on the state on Sunday, spoke at the presentation and inauguration of 114 security patrol vehicles, 40 motorcycles and other security items by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

 

The IG said, “It is no longer a tea party. There is no doubt that policemen in the state are sleeping. You must wake up from your slumber.

 

“The story of yesterday (the robbery incidents) should not happen again. We must not fold our arms and allow miscreants to take over the state.

 

“I have ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, and the state Commissioner of Police to sit down and re-strategise and find a new way of fighting crime in Lagos.

 

“You have mobility, you have support, you have allowance from the state government; you must not allow people of Lagos to be terrorised by robbers. It can never be accepted anymore.”

 

Abubakar warned policemen in the state not to use the patrol vehicles for domestic use, saying they were meant to protect lives and property.

 

He said the cancellation of road blocks did not mean that policemen should abandon their jobs.

He said, “You must be seen and felt everywhere.”

 

The IG gave one week ultimatum for commercial motorcycle riders to leave the restricted roads in the state.

 

He said, “The CP will talk to all the unions and after a week, start arresting them and charging them to court.”

 

Fashola said the vehicles were signs of the state commitment to security. He urged policemen in the state to work and ensure security of lives and property.

 

He lamented the Sunday robbery attacks, saying, “Our work in securing the state has been challenged. But those who threaten us must be ready to run faster, to hit harder and spend more money than us, because we will win.

 

“I challenge policemen in the state to find those men who dare to attack us. Yesterday success is history. Today challenges live with us. It is our duty to provide solution. There is no margin for error. We have to be right everytime.”

 

Meanwhile, Abubakar, on Monday paid a visit to five police officers receiving treatment at the Military Hospital, Yaba, Lagos. He assured them of adequate compensation for their injuries received while on peace-keeping mission in Darfur, Sudan.

 

A statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the affected officers comprised one Assistant Superintendent of Police and four rank and file.