Pascal Oparada
Lawyer and President, Voter Awareness Initiative, Wale Oguade, has blamed the upsurge in crime in parts of Lagos and Ogun states on the fact that the police relaxed, thinking people would stay at home due to the lockdown in these states.
In a telephone interview with The Nigerian Xpress, Oguade said the police needed to intensify their efforts in protecting lives and properties.
When asked if the recent spate of crime has not overwhelmed the security agencies, he rebutted and said it is not because they are overwhelmed.
“I don’t think the security agencies are overwhelmed. They just went on leave thinking everyone would stay at home,” he said.
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He said now that there is an upsurge, they should put on their thinking cap and be up and doing.
He also said the government should provide them with protective gear like face masks as Coronavirus does not fear bullets.
“I am shocked that up to now, the police is not kitted in masks and gloves. If they are kitted, they can go round and do their normal patrol,” Oguade said.
According to him, the police should concentrate on the suburbs as those areas are the hotbed of crime in Lagos and Ogun.
He also reiterated calls for the South West Security Network codenamed Operation AMOTEKUN to get to work.
For over one week, some communities in Lagos Ogun and Oyo states have witnessed an increase in crime.
In Lagos and Ogun, about 200 robbers invaded the communities of Agege, in Lagos and Ifo in Lagos unleashing mayhem.
The robbers, mostly teenagers, were armed with dangerous weapons. They raided shops, houses and raped women in the process.
It has prompted the affected communities to form vigilante groups to protect their neighbourhoods.