THE police in Lagos State have asked residents of the state not to panic over reports indicating that terrorists may be planning to attack some parts of the state.
The command said that although the reports were unsubstantiated, it was taking the threat seriously and measures had been taken to adequately secure the people of the state and their property.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, described the security report as speculative but gave the assurance that the police in the state were prepared to secure the lives and property of the people of the state
Hundeyin, in a statement, said: “The Lagos State police command is not unmindful of intelligence reports suggesting that Lagos State could be on the radar of some persons planning attacks across the country.
“To this end, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has placed the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the command on high alert alongside all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders, all in a bid to ensure that any possible planned attack is promptly and decisively nipped in the bud.
“The command is also working closely with sister security agencies to ensure that no person or group of persons succeeds in destabilising the peace and serenity enjoyed by the good people of Lagos State.
“CP Alabi uses this medium to allay the fears of Lagosians and assure them that all human, material and operational resources have been fully and optimally deployed across the length and breadth of the state, especially at border towns, towards ensuring there is absolutely no breach of the peace.
“Consequent upon the carefully laid down security plans/strategies, all residents of Lagos State are urged to go about their lawful duties without panic or fear. Lagosians are equally enjoined to remain very vigilant and report suspicious movements and persons to security agencies.”
We have placed our personnel on alert –VGN
Also, the area commandant of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) for Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Itire-Ikate and Surulere Local Council Development Areas in the state, Israel Omisore, said terrorism threat could not be taken with a pinch of salt, especially in a cosmopolitan state like Lagos.
The personnel of the VGN, he said, had been placed on alert to forestall any form of attack.
Omisore said: “We are not taking the threat with a pinch of salt. We have alerted religious houses, churches and mosques, and market men and women within our vicinity and urged them not to be caught unawares.
“We are watchful of our immediate environment where large gatherings are held, especially churches, mosques and the markets. At this time, we are suspicious of every move.
“We have instructed traders across markets to be careful and watchful of bags or sacks. If they see something, they must say something.
“We have given our personnel that are on night duties the contacts of the police and the DSS for any emergency that might require a swift reaction.
“These terrorists are not ghosts. They are everyday people. They have infiltrated the people. They can be found among the shoe shiners, gatemen and load carriers in our markets.
“So, how do we identify them without infringing on the rights of those among them that are of good intentions?
“To guard against this, we have instructed their leadership to ensure that they have a list of their members for easy identification. Once we are able to identify ourselves, our problem is half solved.
“So, going by our level of preparedness and the training we have had, I think we are ready for any eventuality.”
However, some residents of the state say they remain worried over the alleged planned terrorist attacks.
They called on the state government and the security agencies not to take the threat with levity.
An unverified report on the alleged planned attacks which circulated widely listed Onike, Yaba, Ikeja, Ikosi, Marina, Agege, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu, Mazamaza, Alausa, Sango Toll Gate, Oshodi, Ikeja Shopping Mall, Idumota Market, BRT terminals, nightclubs, general hospitals as some of the targets of the terrorists.
Various residents of the state charged the security agencies not to limit their focus to the places listed in the report, warning that this might be a plot by the terrorists to divert the attention of security agents from their actual targets.
Damian Ohuakanwa, a former banker who resides in Ikorodu, in an interview with Saturday Tribune, said: “Typical terrorists would prefer to hit their targets without prior warning and when they issue threats, they are always diversionary.
“When they mention places to be attacked, it is not brained. If you watch the areas mentioned, they are predominantly occupied by the Hausa and common men. So, those areas may not be the major targets.
“We are facing social media propaganda and a diversionary message from terrorists. So, the police and the government should look beyond these spots mentioned. The Nigerian Air Force should begin aerial surveillance of the western bushes and Lagos environs.”
Another resident of the state, Ibrahim Emiko, a clearing and forwarding agent, expressed the belief that the example of the threat to kidnap the president had manifested in the recent attack on his advance team to Katsina State and this should indicate to Nigerians that this was not an ordinary threat.
He said: “To me, there is no fear in the sense that this is something we have heard long before now. It has been happening everywhere. So, Lagos may not be an exception, even though we want a peaceful Lagos.
“But with all this political madness going on everywhere, there will always be plans of attacks on different locations.
“The only thing the police can do is to reduce the way people gather at parties, in clubs and other public places. They can reduce the number of persons in those places, just in case, because the police cannot be everywhere.
“It is very simple. The government should grant people gun licence for self-defence and protection. If I see the suspected terrorists and I don’t have a gun, what do you think I would do except to run for dear life? But if I am armed, I can defend myself and then raise the alarm.”
He also warned against sabotage, alleging that some of the top security personnel were compromised officers who could be informants to terrorists.
John Uwalaka, another resident of the state, underscored the need for the people to be more vigilant and security conscious.
Uwalaka said: “First of all, I think people need to be more security conscious and be vigilant. I have reduced the rate at which I go out at night.
“On the part of the government, I think they need to do more on intelligence gathering. Our preference should be early detection to be able neutralise these guys. The security agencies should be on alert.”
Another resident, Dipo Awojobi, said the issue should be taken seriously, given the activities of the terrorists in other parts of the country.
He said: “The issue should be taken seriously. We are all aware of the activities of the terrorists in other parts of Nigeria and even in some parts of the South-West such as Ondo, Kogi and Oyo states.
“They are vicious, coordinated and merciless. They can be daunting and they attack when least expected. They go after soft targets such as women and children and crowded places.”
Awojobi, therefore, advised the government to increase surveillance by the security agencies, embark on close monitoring of suspicious moves and discourage crowded places.
He said: “Everyone should see the situation as a collective concern rather than leave it to the government. The government should increase surveillance by the security agencies.
“There should be close monitoring. People should watch suspicious moves, avoid crowded places. And the government should secure public places such as schools, eateries, churches and mosques. Everyone should see this as a cause for concern and it should not be left to the government alone.”
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