By Emeagi Emeka Williams
Saturday,16th May,2020,was a special day that will go down the annals of history as it marked the day the Commissioner of Police,CP Hakeem Odumosu mandated one of his men to be in rendezvous with the people of Ajah at a spacial Police/Community town hall meeting conceptualised to elevate the security paradigm of the area which had begged for attention for so long.
On this day,the Abijo Police Post located inside the Abijo GRA,Lekki-Epe Expressway which now accommodates the Scorpion Base of the Lagos State Police Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS),became a beautiful horizon where the police, and Representatives of the Community Development Association met to commune on how to enhance security or police presence in that vicinity where deadly criminals were beginning to plume wings for greater crime altitude.
The new Commander of the unit,DSP,Akinola Aduroja who presided over the meeting on behalf of the Lagos Police authorities shone resplendently as he preached,taught and listened,as the worthy ambassador of the Commissioner of Police and the O/C SARS.
In all prudency and articulate presentation he began;
“The Commissioner of Police has thought it wise to send us here to meet your security needs.
He has asked us to relate with you all so as to get your areas of security need,these security challenges that previously robbed you of sleep and peace.
The CP is a man who is passionate about the safety and security of Lagosians,thus would device all means to achieve them for the people of Lagos. And this is why he had proved his passion by sending the scorpion base of SARS to be in your midst. Against these background,we as servants must discharge our duties patriotically,diligently and obediently,so that the reasons for which the CP brought us here will not be defeated”.
With rapt attention that revealed the inner longing of the people for security,the participants who comprised of dignitaries from different walks of life,listened,even as the ‘CP Boy’ surrounded by his men,who appeared picture perfect In their outfits,conspicuously showcasing the SARS inscription,spoke to the delight of Ajah residents,who from reports have been terrorised by armed robbers.
Having heard from the police,the participants,in turn, expressed appreciation to the Commissioner of Police and assured that the various communities would merge efforts and resources to make the stay and operations of the Scorpion Base (SARS) very conducive and effective. To prove their seriousness, committees that would look into different issues were formed,this was after the new O/C appealed for volunteers and supports for added efficiency and effectiveness.
Some of the areas highlighted by the Representatives as situations that require urgent attention are the Ajah traffic robbery,criminal activities of teeming Indian Hemp smokers and the evil activities of the disgruntled elements who traded on fire-arms inside the GRA,though they confirmed that they are now on the run after the early operations of the Scorpion Base of SARS.
With this development,the Lagos Command has made a stitch in time to save nine. And the placement of this SARS Base strategically is a statement legibly and audibly made by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police,Hakeem Odumosu that he is set to explore all tactics possible to combat crime in the state.