Matilda Omonaiye/
Lagos residents have been assured of good policing through intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and public partnership.
The assurance came from the new Commissioner of Police (CP) in Lagos, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, who also pledged to respect the fundamental human rights of all citizens.
Alabi assumed office on Monday as the 37th Commissioner of Police in Lagos State.
He took over from the erstwhile Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who was elevated to the rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police recently and deployed to the Force Headquarters, Abuja as the AIG, Federal Operations (FEDOPS).
In his maiden media briefing on the assumption of office, CP Alabi said: “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome everyone here to my media briefing as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
“I must, however, start by expressing my immense gratitude to God Almighty who has made today a reality. Also, my profound thanks to our amiable and effervescent Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, fdc, psc+ NPM, the Chairman, and the Commissioners of Police Service Commission for considering me capable and fit to be deployed to Lagos State as the commissioner of police. I equally thank the Government, good people, and residents of Lagos State for the warm welcome accorded me and for the anticipated cooperation and support in policing Lagos.
“Although Lagos State is undoubtedly a familiar turf for me, having served in the state for many years in different capacities, nevertheless, it has become necessary to bring to the fore my template and policing vision, visibility policing, and dominance of security space by ensuring the presence of policemen at all times to deter criminals as a preventive measure and ensure that Rapid Response Squad is encouraged and strengthened to respond promptly and effectively to citizens’ concerns.
“Respect for fundamental Human Rights by ensuring that no breach of Human Rights will be tolerated under my command and watch.
“Our men’s conduct while discharging their duties must be in conformity with our professional ethics especially with issues of corruption and extra Judicial killing and act of incivility to members of the public.
“We will strive to build confidence and trust in members of the public particularly with state actors and non-state actors through intelligence-led community policing. Area commanders and Divisional Police Officers will be encouraged to meet regularly with non-state actors to ensure common problems confronting their various areas of responsibilities are collectively addressed.
“I will not be allergic to constructive criticism but will see it as information to rejig our security architecture for our policing strategy. Therefore, I will encourage collaboration with the 4th Estate of the Realm and appeal that issues concerning our policing policies in the state are brought to my knowledge promptly. I will also endeavor to hold parleys with journalists where solutions will be tabled and addressed in an amicable manner.
“Some dedicated lines will be rolled out to members of the public for accessibility and feedback to members of the public on issues of our common safety and security.
“The trends and patterns of crime will continually be monitored to ensure crime mapping of the state to enable us to devise appropriate crime prevention strategies.
“Issues of gang disturbance or wars will be holistically addressed, and those intransigents will face consequences of their actions.
“I will strengthen inter-agency collaboration and synergy with a robust and healthy relationship with heads of security agencies in Lagos State in management of the state.
“Finally, I want to, most sincerely, commend the relentless efforts of the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Assistant Inspector of General, AIG Hakeem Odumosu whose operational dexterity and administrative acumen culminated in the security serenity enjoyed in Lagos State today. While saluting his uncommon feat in policing the state, I will anchor on the law enforcement infrastructure he established, consolidate on them, and emplace the necessary strategies at ensuring that Lagos State in no distant time meets our security aspirations and yearnings as a people.
“While counting on the unflinching and immeasurable support of Lagos State Government to the Police and anticipatory cooperation of members of the public, I promise to work assiduously with all officers and men of the command to make Lagos safer and more secured for investment and habitation.”
CP Alabi is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Lagos, Akoka, where he bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology.
He also holds a master’s degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Appointed as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police on March 3, 1990, CP Alabi has vast experience in policing spanning over three decades. Since his enlistment, he has served in various capacities such as Operations Officer; Divisional Crime Officer; Unit Commander MOPOL 19 Squadron, Port Harcourt; second-in-command to Squadron Commander, Mopol 22 Ikeja; Squadron Commander, Mopol 43 (Diplomatic Protection Squadron), Lagos; Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Lion Building and Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ikeja.
Other appointments he has held include Assistant Commissioner of Police, Administration, Police Mobile Force, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration, Taraba State Command; Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration, Bayelsa State Command; Deputy Commissioner of Police, operations, Ekiti State; Commissioner of Police in charge of the Central Criminal Registry, Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon; and Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State.
Until his recent posting as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Alabi was Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Force Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Abuja.
Alabi is a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Management. He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, USA, and a Fellow of the National Defence College (fdc).
According to police authorities, Alabi has carved a niche for himself as a highly disciplined, courageous crime fighter, professional, and a thorough-bred police officer with a knack for intelligence, investigations, administration, and operations.
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