By ARUGA JOE OMOKARO, Lagos

In order to effectively curb criminality which is usually on the increase at Christmas and New Year festivals, Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Hakeem Odumosu, has deployed plain-clothe armed detectives at garages, bus stops and at some popular social places.

The SUPREME exclusively learnt that, Odumosu directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders to deploy armed detectives to garages and bus stops close to their jurisdictions.

The directive was said to have been handed down through the Deputy Commissioners of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Kontagora and Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, DCP Bassey Ewa, from Abuja where Odumosu attended the last IGP Monthly Conference on Monday at Force Headquarters.

In addition, The SUPREME reliably learnt that, the Lagos Police boss has directed heads of Tactical Squad and X-Squad to also deploy their personnel to popular garages, bus stops and public places.

For instance, Area G Police Command Ogba, is believed to have deployed detectives at Ogba busy bus stop. The detectives are expected to move round the garages and bus stops from 6am to 10pm daily.

Also at popular Berger and Ojota garages, where most travellers from other parts of the country disembark, several armed detectives are believed to have been planted on both sides of the garages and bus stops

At popular Ojielegba, which is always busy throughout the night, detectives from Area C are said to have been deployed there.

Also at lkeja bus stop that bubbles throughout the night, detectives are said to have been stationed there from Area F Command.

At FESTAC Area Command, detectives are said to have been deployed to Mile Two bus stop

Similarly, the popular Obalende and CMS bus stops are said to have many detectives from Area A Command, Lion Building.

Ikorodu, Ojodu and Bariga, as well as Iyana Ipaja and Fagba where Yorubas and Hausas clashed last year resulting in deaths of over 30 people, also have large numbers of armed detectives, including Tactical Squad detectives.

Dependable sources at the police headquarters, said: “We don’t want to record any casualty or crime this season. Lagos, you know is the business hub of Nigeria. And people come from all parts of the country to buy and to sell their goods. It is expected that, there will be increase in human and vehicular movements. And you can’t rule out increase in crime.

“Hoodlums will also want to use the increase in people to rob to have something to celebrate in the yuletide. So knowing all these possibilities, we are ensuring tight security to make sure that hoodlums don’t have their ways. We assure Lagos residents that they will celebrate the Christmas and New Year peacefully without any molestations by hoodlums.”

Another source explained that, “Berger and Ojota bus stops are gate ways to Lagos. We have enough men in those areas. FESTAC is another gateway because of Seme Border. We have planted enough men in these areas,” the source disclosed.

We also learnt that the role of the X-Quad personnel is “also to monitor policemen.”

Further investigations also reveal that the modus operandi of the Police at the garages and bus stops is to mingle with passengers pretending to travel or entering buses or tricycles from one point to another, while discussing freely with passengers. (Courtesy The SUPREME)