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AIG Kokumo Visits Lagos Police Command, Insists on Serious Handling of Security Matters
By Oki Samson
Since his assumption of office in May, 2021 as the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 (comprising Lagos and Ogun states), AIG Johnson Kokumo has been vibrant with activities targeted at security and protection of lives and properties. Yesterday, 19th August, he was able to attain his first, official 1-day familiarization tour to the Lagos State Police Command under the administration of CP Hakeem Odumosu.
Speaking during the visit, AIG Johnson Kokumo praised the government of Lagos state for the towering support for Police, ‘I appreciate the government of Lagos state for logistic support of the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Command. I was at the commissioning of vehicles and other operational equipment when our President Muhammadu Buhari visited. I can see that the equipment have been distributed for effective use.’
‘We thank the Lagos State Government for doing this and seize the opportunity to request for more because security is not a business that can be handled with levity. It has to be handled with seriousness. That is why our serious-minded Governor has given us support to do our job. I want to quickly advise that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’, we should resolve within ourselves to curb criminality and reduce it to barest minimum.’
He charged the Police officers and men to desist from getting involved in activities beyond their purview. ‘I want to admonish you to stay clear of civil matters. The criminal matters before us are large in volume. You should avoid dabbling in civil matters under whatever guise.’
He continued: ‘I want to commend the efforts of Commissioner of Police, Lagos in the area of training and of course, the 50-bed accommodation that is under construction. It is highly commendable, please keep it up. Your request for logistic support to IGP Usman Alkali Baba has been taken and I will table your request before him and see what we can possibly do to impact positively in area of logistic support for Lagos State Command. I appreciate the IGP Usman Alkali Baba for giving us all we require to work in Lagos and Ogun states effectively. Everything that we require will be communicated officially.’
Earlier in his welcome address to the visiting superior, Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu stated: ‘The Command has been relatively calm. It has been peaceful and crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and others have been tackled head-on. In the midst of this, the Command through the Grace of God, unrelenting efforts of officers and men, with strategic partners, and synergy of other sister agencies and members of the public have been able to record tremendous achievements to the admiration of the government and good people of Lagos state in particular and the country in general.’
Describing the return of AIG of Zone 2, AIG Johnson Kokumo to Lagos as second home coming since he left Lagos in 2016 as DCP (Operations), he added: ‘All these achievements could not have been possible but for your highly dedicated leadership and close mentorship which you have bestowed on the Command since assumption of duty as Supervisory AIG. The Command has not only keyed into your zero-tolerance for crime and respect for fundamental human rights but has continued to take from your wealth of experience which you have in your magnanimity made available to the Command. This, we shall continue to cherish.’
CP Odumosu presented the record of achievements of the Lagos Command to his superior, AIG Kokumo, ‘Lagos State Command was able to successfully manage the Yoruba Nation rally on 3rd of July to prevent breakdown of law and order in a civilized and professional manner. Also what many pessimists have anticipated will be a major political crisis before, during, and after the recently concluded LG/LCDA polls turned out to be a song of success. It is free, fair, and credible made possible due to the watertight security provided.’
The Lagos CP also noted that there is an ongoing 50-bed space building for the welfare of officers ‘to accommodate officers who were just posted into the state before they are deployed into their various areas and so that they can have a sense of belonging. This is done by the support of law-abiding citizens, associations and stakeholders. It will be completed and ready for use in the next few weeks.’
The Lagos Command which started in 1967 with 4 area commands and 23 divisions has grown into 14 area commands, 110 police divisions, and 74 police posts. The Command is also 17,907-personnel strong and is very strategic to the security of the city reputed to be West Africa’s economic hub. In the year 2021, the men and officers of the Command have gotten 232 armed robbery suspects arrested, 16 armed robbers died in encounter with Police, while 94 arms and 238 ammunitions were recovered. Also, 118 cultists were arrested while 14 cultism cases were recorded, and 176 murder suspects have also been arrested in 148 cases of murder. The 2021 record also showed that 283 suspects have been charged to court, 39 vehicles were recovered and returned to their owners and no life of any policeman was lost.
CP Hakeem Odumosu also thanked Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for the support that the Command has enjoyed so far.
Senior Management team of Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos Police Command management, representative of the Zonal Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Rev. Tosin Shobowale, Lagos PCRC Chairman, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo and many other dignitaries were present at the event to honour the Zonal Assistant Inspector-General of Police.
Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated”.
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.
The former Speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation.
He mocked claims that a gate construction had cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He said: “I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
The former Speaker cited the case of the former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola Pelumi.
He said when Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and “we did not invite policemen.
“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”
Obasa said an innocent person should not be discredited, and there must be proof of allegations showing exactly what he has done.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.
“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Aanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the State.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that 38 persons, including seven crew members, were injured when a United Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Lagos on Friday morning.
The Boeing 787-8 flight with 245 passengers was en route to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), in the United States, from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, when it developed problems midair and was forced to return to the airport.
There were also 11 crew members – eight attendants and three pilots – on the plane.
The FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, who confirmed the incident through a statement, said all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
She, however, said four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries.
According to her, 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
The statement read: “The United Airlines Boeing 787-800 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, at 11:59pm on Thursday, but made air return and landed safely at 3.22am on Friday.
“On board were 245 adults and 11 crew members.
“The team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Medical, and Aviation Security were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 3:37am.
“While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and an additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
“The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby.
“Aviation medical ambulances transported the injured passengers, some to the MMA Clinic and others to the headquarters clinic.”
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There’s no doubt that human beings by nature are insatiable. When we get one opportunity, we always look for another. When we attain one height, we always look for another accomplishment. Isn’t it true that the end of one mountain is the beginning of another.
However, I don’t think it’s selfish for anyone to dare to succeed.
Being ambitious doesn’t make one an opportunist or disloyal. It all depends on one’s perception or outlook to life. It’s just natural for one to dream big. It’s only ugly when the process one chooses to achieve his desires becomes dirty and nasty.
According to a former Nigerian presidential candidate and seasoned Economist, Mr. Peter Obi, “if you must be referred to as “Your Excellency”, then the process through which you arrived in office must be excellent”.
If you desire to be reckoned with on the journey of existence, you must be legitimately hungry for success. One’s hunger for success will facilitate the drive to accomplish great tasks despite daunting obstacles posing as challenges.
When one has this mindset, one will not be bothered by the noise which serves as obstacles and challenges along the way. Negative and weak minds are always concerned on why something won’t work. They tend to focus their energy and reasons on the obstacles facing them. But great and productive minds always focus their energy on the reasons why it will work. This is the spirit of an insatiable mind who is a goal- getter.
It’s instructive to note that we can’t please everyone. According to Bill Cosby, a famous actor, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” Isn’t it true that when you talk, people will still talk about you, when you don’t talk, people will talk about you, so whether you talk or not, people will still judge you, so, do what’s best for you. There’s nothing you can do to please human beings. Your best option is to live your best life.
To understand how the insatiable nature of man works, one must be oneself. You don’t have to “please” anyone. Be yourself, and don’t try to be like anyone just to curry favour. It’s important to note that when you are yourself, the people that matter will come through for you, and the people that don’t matter will gradually find the bearing in another space because those that truly care don’t bother and those that bother don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Life has truly taught me to focus on the important things of life as opposed to the mundane things. It’s truly sad to see people spending more time on the little things of life, and spending little time on the important things of life. That’s just a misplaced priority.
When you are yourself, the best people can do is to copy or imitate your style. They can never imitate your creativity nor can take your originality from you.
We live in a world or society where people don’t generally care or show empathy. Most people tend to live around themselves, their family, and close associates. They generally find it hard to lift a finger to assist others for reasons best known to them. Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka once said, “we live in a wicked generation”, re-echoing the voices of a lot of people of the world. Some people in authority just have criminal expertise in amassing wealth of opportunities meant for the citizens without thinking of the citizens they are meant to serve.
It’s worthy of note that not everyone will like you nor support your work, but when you find people who truly care about you; please hold them tight. This is because despite having family members you have shown love and compassion, they might not still appreciate you even if you lay your life for them, they will still find something to say. Again, this is the insatiable nature of man.
It’s okay for everyone not to like you, normalize living your life for God, yourself, family and those that care about you. If everyone likes you, you have a problem.
Did you know that you can get a new family from friends, strangers, and acquaintances? These sets of people might appreciate you more than your own family members. They might not demand or under appreciate you like your family members and close friends or associates. Any little support you give them will be highly appreciated. Their focus is to see you do better.
In conclusion, as you desire to succeed in life, never give in to failure until you have made your last attempt, and never make your last attempt until you succeed. This literally means whatever you desire, dream it, think it, say it, and believe you can achieve it. This principle is generally applicable to relationships, businesses, family, personal and professional development.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
