It would be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Monday announced the deployment of special forces in Lagos and Ogun states following the increased robbery attacks faced by residents of both states in the past one week as a result of the  COVID-19 lockdown.

The Army, Navy, Airforce and Directorate of State Services (DSS) operatives will join the Police on the offensive against the miscreants as the Inspector-General vowed on Tuesday to go tougher on the criminals.

“This will also be carried out in conjunction with other security agencies – Army, Navy, Airforce and Directorate of State Security Service. One of our key responsibilities as an administration is the safety and security of the lives and property of all citizens, and we will not abandon this responsibility at any time. There is no room whatsoever in Lagos State for criminal gangs or miscreants of any kind.” The governor said.

He also stressed that the miscreants were not hungry as they are opportunistic criminals and will be treated as such by the law enforcement agencies.

“We have been in close and constant communication with the Federal Government on this issue, and the I.G of Police has deployed a deputy inspector general of Police, who is a seasoned crime fighter, to Lagos as our intervention squad coordinator to help devise and superintend over a superior strategy to curtail and stem the perceived and actual threat of violence. About 100 suspects were arrested within 72 hours”. Sanwo-olu added.

Speaking during a briefing by the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 in Abuja, the IG said: “I hereby sound a note of warning to criminals going from place to place to desist from doing such as I have ordered the Commissioners of Police in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states not to allow criminals to perpetrate their heinous crime against innocent residents during the lockdown”.

He appealed to residents of affected states to report any crime to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) as he promised to immediately publicized the phone numbers of the PPROs.

Adamu warned his officers and men against taking bribes and allowing those that are not on essential duties to move about.

Since the increased robbery attacks, residents in Lagos and Ogun states have formed Emergency vigilante and been forced to keep vigil.