Police moves to prevent farmer-herders clash spillover into Lagos
By Modupe Shodeinde
The Lagos State Police command has disclosed moves to prevent farmer-herder clashes in neighbouring Ogun State from spilling over to Lagos.
The Lagos Police Commissioner (CP) Hakeem Odumosu on Monday said steps have also been taken to prevent cases of kidnappings and other violent crimes. He stated that the command was monitoring happenings across the country and constantly reviewing its security arrangement.
Recently, many communities in Yewa local council of Ogun State including Ketu, Eggua, Oja-Odan, Igan Alade, Gbokoto and Ijoun, Owode-Ketu, Ebutu Igbooro and Imeko Afon, were deserted as people fled to Benin Republic due to deadly clashes between farmers and herders.
The Lagos CP during an interview with reporters at POWA Hall, Ikeja, said to prevent a spillover into Lagos communities bordering Ogun, the command had since engaged all stakeholders in those border villages on the need for peaceful co-existence.
“We had a security summit in Ikorodu for people in all those Ogun border communities. All the ethnic groups were represented and at the end of the day, there was an agreement on the need to give peace a chance.
“Also, we have put in place measures like we did during the COVID-19 lockdown. We have ensured that for those border areas, there are levels of checks. Vehicles are stopped and thoroughly inspected before they are allowed in. So, we have always been proactive in Lagos.
“We know that the rainy season is around the corner and so, I want to interact with my DPOs and Commanders on the need to stay alert. We are aware of schools that are being attacked and we cannot fold our arms in Lagos because it is not happening here.
“We will continue to brainstorm the issues between now and after two months we will change the strategy to move the state forward and further reduce the crime rate that Lagos is experiencing now.” Odumosu said.
