The Commissioner of the Lagos State Police Command, Marvel Akpoyibo, said on Monday that armed robbers have found a new way of robbing drivers on the highway.
“We need to inform the members of the public of the new trend being employed by armed robbers to steal from unsuspecting motorists,” Mr. Akpoyibo said. “We reliably gathered that hoodlums, particularly at night, throw eggs at moving vehicles’ windscreens and soil the windscreen and the motorists will attempt to use the wiper and will not be able to wipe it off… when this happens, the motorists will be forced to stop to clean the windscreen. The armed robbers who are hiding in a nearby hideout will then swoop on the motorists and rob them of valuables.”
The commissioner said this in his office while receiving members of the Social Action Group of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish, at Victoria Island and Ikoyi who had come to donate 10 computer sets to the command.
Mr. Akpoyibo also added that though no case had been recorded in Lagos State, they wanted the public to be aware of it.
“I advise that when any one of them throw eggs on your windscreen, do not stop in the area,” he said. “Get to a safe place and clean the windscreen with water and soap.”
Rumours have been making rounds, via SMS alert, that robbers have employed the new tactic to rob unsuspecting commuters.
Helping the police, helping the community
Idowu Iluyomade, one of the pastors who led the church group which made the donation said the initiative was to boost access to, and the use of, information technology amongst the police.
“We are trying in our own little way to help the police relate well by using modern facilities,” said Mr. Iluyomade. “If the police stations have the computers, they can save data and monitor data. We also reach out to officers in the prisons and provide training in communication technology for officers at the Ikoyi and Victoria Island police stations. We know that the facilities will help the police officers in these areas to stand out in the command.”
Mr. Akpoyibo, while receiving the computers on behalf of the command, called on members of the public to emulate the church.
“Only last week, a church commissioned a borehole they sunk for the police of the command,” he said. “This week again, the RCCG is here to present computers to the police. This gesture is a confidence the members of the public have for the Lagos State Police Command. I am very optimistic that this will enhance the performance of our officers. We appreciate this gesture from the church and we call on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the Redeemed Christian Church of God.”
Mr. Akpoyibo assured Lagos residents that the upcoming festive periods would be safe for citizens.
“On Sallah and Christmas period, the command has beefed up security network,” he said. “I assure Lagosians that all will be well with law-abiding citizens because we are ready for the criminals. In this regards, I have stopped all the area commanders and deputy police officers from going on vacation during this period. We are asking all Lagosians to assist the police with useful information of suspected persons or movement.”
Nov242009