Police beef up security in Lagos

Police in Lagos have beefed up security at mosques and key public installations for the Sallah celebrations.

The authorities said yesterday that more policemen would be posted to patrol black spots and vulnerable areas to ensure that criminals do not take advantage of the public holiday to harass innocent people.

That police also said more personnel would compliment efforts of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) to ensure free flow of traffic in and out of the metropolis.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who spoke with newsmen yesterday at the Command Headquarters, said part of the strategies adopted to rid the state of miscreants was the raid of street hawkers.

He said the decision to embark on a 24-hour patrol in the state was to prevent any break down of law and order throughout the holidays.

According to him, investigations conducted by the command have revealed that hawkers were also responsible for the traffic gridlocks in most part of the state.

“Some of these hawkers also double as robbers. They would seize the opportunity created to dispossess road users of their belongings. The command has concluded arrangements to reduce the number of hawkers in Lagos.

“Anti-riot policemen, operatives attached to the RapidResponseSquad(RRS) and officials of LASTMA will be positioned in major areas. This is to ensure that people move around without molestation,” he added.

He also urged members of the public to be civil when driving, stressing that motorists should settle any minor vehicular infractions that occurs without causing traffic jams.