Following an alarm raised by filmmaker Biodun Stephen about phone theft in some areas of Lagos, the Police Commissioner CP Adegoke Faoade has mandated his men to stem the ‘kidnapping’ of phones by hoodlums in the State.
Miss Stephen had claimed in a viral video that in some areas of Lagos, hoodlums forcibly collect phones of individuals and make their victims pay a certain amount of money to have their phones back.
Lagos State police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, said Monday in a statement on Monday, all Divisional Police Officers in the blackspots would be held responsible for recurrence of such incidents.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has received with concern reports that young men in certain parts of Lagos State seize passersby’s phones to extort them despite the sustained raids being carried out by officers and men of the command.
“CP Fayoade has, therefore, directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers especially in identified areas to redouble security architecture and enhance their neighbourhood and foot patrol within their areas of responsibility to tackle this emerging menace.
“He gave this charge during an early morning meeting with all Area/Squadron/Tactical Commanders and DPOs on Monday, April 8, 2024.
“The CP has further warned that any officer in whose AOR such an incident occurs again would be severely sanctioned, assuring that the command remains unrelenting in its resolve and determination to continue to stamp out, and make the public space hot for criminal elements.”
