.“We are winning the war”

Olabode Ojajuni

– Olubode Ojajuni, a Suprintendent of Police (SP) and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lagos State Command
By Chidiebere Onyemaizu
Lately, there has been an upsurge in violent crime despite the State Police Command's onslaught on criminal elements. Why is this so?
I will rely on facts, statistics and the reality on the ground. The results which the new Commissioner of Police (CP) has achieved in the past three weeks have, in fact, attracted him commendations from a cross-section of Lagosians. The new Commissioner of Police is the type that does not believe in talking. His actions and achievements speak for him. The fact that there are pockets of armed robbery incidences in the state is to tell you that there is no way any human being, even yet unborn, can totally stamp out crime in a day. But what is important is making sure that the situation is kept at bay, put under check. Which is what the new CP has demonstrated. Incidences of armed robbery in Lagos have drastically gone down.
You said the new Commissioner of Police since assuming office has recorded tremendous success in combating criminal elements in the metropolis. What is his magic?
The magic is the strategy the new IG has put in place. Don’t forget that Lagos is now blessed in this manner: the present IG was a commissioner of police in this state. The present CP, was his deputy. So the present CP, who was directly under the IG when he (the IG) was the CP has got the experience and operational wherewithal. And to motivate men of the command, the CP has introduced a motivational system whereby policemen who perform are honoured every week. Now we have DPO of the week, Area Commander of the week. We have the men that performed the feat being honoured on weekly basis with cash and certificates. Some are even recommenced to shigher authorities for promotion. So all these are buoying up the men. There is also the determination on the part of the Lagos State government to make sure that Lagos of today is different from that of the past, security wise.
In the past two weeks, armed robbers seem to have found delight in targeting places where they feel they will make big hauls. For example, the “Mr Biggs” bullion van incident the attack on a Bureau de Change at the domestic wing of the Lagos airport, attack on banks and so on. Do you think armed robbers have somewhat changed tactics?
That is not new in Lagos. The bullion van incident is a case that is so suspicious. The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), is seriously looking into that incident. The situation in Lagos now is that there is a relaxed atmosphere. More than ever before, people now have confidence in the police. Go to everywhere in the state, you will see the police maintaining security. We are very ubiquitous at every junction, at every point, ever ready to fight crime. That is why we are winning the war.
Lagos is a peculiar city, a metropolitan city with a large population. What in your view do you think is responsible for the high rate of violent crime in the state?
Lagos is the economic and commercial nerve centre of the country, where you have the headquarter of virtually all corporate organisations in Nigeria. You also have rapid growth in the city’s population. Definitely, Lagos is peculiar. That is why you see the police always on its toes to make sure that the state is well-policed. We do extra job in Lagos. In fact, the CP does not sleep. Hardly does he sleep for two hours per day.
How has the “stop and search” and the road block system of policing been able to help tame the tide of armed robbery in the state?
It is not in the character of my commissioner to discuss or disclose operational details and strategies. What is important for us is to put in place strategies that will ensure the protection of lives and properties of Lagosians. We only appeal to Lagosians to see reasons with us, to co-operate with us, to show understanding so that we can do our job effectively because, definitely there will be some inconveniences but such inconveniences in most cases are in their interest. Of what benefit is it for you to say you want to enjoy your life and in the process you lose it?