Press Releases

"Ember" Months": Akpoyibo Assures Lagosians Of Security Of Life And Property

Sep 1, 2010 - As the nation enters the last four months of the year, popularly termed "Ember Months", the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, Wednesday assured Lagos residents of the security of life and property saying all the security agencies in the State are prepared to make the State crime free during the period.

Akpoyibo, who briefed Government House Correspondents at the Lagos House, Alausa, after the State Security Council Meeting, said all the security personnel and apparati have been put on alert to combat any form of crime around the State.

He declared, "Just like last year when we assured you that the Ember months would come and go and there would be safety of life and property in Lagos State, here we are again with the issue of Ember month rearing its head and we are using this opportunity to assure members of the public that all the security agencies have put their hands on deck to ensure safety in the State".

The Police Commissioner, who explained that the security agencies in the State embarked on a "show of force" earlier in the day, added, "It is going to be on a continuous basis and we are working together, collaborating to ensure the safety of life and property in Lagos, not only during the Ember months, but beyond".

Akpoyibo denied that there was any protest by commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders in the State following the rules and regulations put out by the State Government to be observed by the riders. According to the Commissioner, "There were no protests whatsoever. If you noticed any, they were, may be, deviants. The laws were made for the well-being of everybody including the Okada operators".

"Don't forget, the State Government was magnanimous enough not to ban the use of Okada. It is only in specific areas and at specific times. They should embrace these laws that are aimed at ensuring their safety while even operating their Okada. So, no reasonable okada rider will go on protest. We are here to protect them and it is in the interest of their safety and their well-being". He said.

Enjoining the people to also collaborate with security agencies in crime detection, Akpoyibo declared, "Everybody should be his brother's keeper. We are very proactive in Lagos and we are intelligence-driven. People should be willing to discharge their civic responsibilities. If you suspect that somebody is of a questionable character or there is a criminal hideout, do not wait until those criminals have gone to carry out their dastardly act before you alert the security agencies. Let us know so that we nip it in the bud because it is said a stitch in time saves nine"..

The Commissioner appealed to the people to avoid rumour-mongering or speculations which could raise anxiety among residents advising that anybody who heard any information that was not clear to him or her should seek clarification from the appropriate authority. "Most of the speculations are not correct most of the time", he said.

Commenting on the recent multiple motor accident at the Berger area on the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Akpoyibo, who said the State was still mourning with the bereaved, however, absolved the police from the mishap saying, "It is most unfortunate that some of us lack understanding. When you talk about accident and the cause of an accident, some of us were speculating that, perhaps, there was a Police check point ahead and so there was traffic build-up and that caused the accident. I think it is most unfortunate, most illogical and an unintelligent analysis".

"If whenever there is a traffic hold-up and then trailer drivers who have no brake in their system may now have the liberty to crush everybody, then you and I who live in Lagos, we are an endangered specie. The Vehicle Inspection Officer on the spot was very clear; the accident was caused by the reckless driver and, of course, if there was any policeman at that spot, he would have been engulfed by the inferno.

"We should stop being funny. We are not saying the Police is an angel. We have a few of them over there that extort money from members of the public and whenever they are caught we deal with them decisively. But it is ungodly to begin to equate such sad incident with triviality. I think it's most unfortunate", the Commissioner said .

Also present at the briefing were the Commander, 9th Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Sanusi Muasu , the Commanding Officer, NNS Beecroft, Naval Base, Apapa, Commodore Jerry Unoarumhi, and Commander Air Base Services Group, Ikeja, Air Commodore Ayo Abdulsalam.