Ikorodu killings: Lagos CP Rekindles Hope in Nigeria Police

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, on Tuesday, called on Nigerians not to lose hope in the country’s police formation. Addressing the 2016 stakeholders’ forum at the City Hall, Lagos, brought together by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District (CBD) titled: “Toward a Lagos Island CBD Renaissance: Meaningful Insights and Commitment”, Owoseni who was represented by the Divisional Police Officer of Victoria Island, Chief Superintendent of Police, Olusegun Ajamolaya, expressed sadness that Nigerians no longer have trust in the police recognised by the 1999 constitution. Owoseni said, “The major problem we have now is for the citizens to have trust in us; they do not trust the police they have. They believe that if they give information to the police, they will sell out. And due to this, the maximum cooperation we should get from the citizens is lacking. “We believe that larger percent of the reasons acclaimed by the residents were a stereotype. The Nigerian police are evolving daily. “We want you to have faith in us and I believe that we will not disappoint you. “Crime prevention is the key to achieving a safe and secure society. If we are able to achieve that, other aspect of policing is secondary. “This is because we will be proactive and not reactive. Everyone must be alert; that is why we are promoting community policing.  Nigerian Police is not effective; we work day and night to ensure that the state is safe. “Policing Lagos is a big task especially as it concerns the population, the mode of crime committed and the unemployment rate in the state. That is why we have adopted to proactive and not the reactive strategy.”