By Olawale Abdul-Fatah
Apparently worried by the recent increase in travel time in Lagos, the State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has declared State of emergency on traffic management and control in the State.
Odumosu also ordered deployment of 1,000 policemen to reduce travel time and prevent traffic robbery across the state.
The deployment came barely 24 hours after the State Government argued that the gridlock experienced on Lagos roads was temporary and would in few weeks subside after yuletide season.
Odumosu, who resumed to office barely two days as Commissioner of Police, took the decision during an emergency meeting held on Thursday at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja to review the current traffic situation in the State.
The CP also reviewed the time for duty report for Traffic Officers to take care of the peak hours. Traffic duties Officers will be run shifts between 10am and 10pm while the second shift will be 10pm to 10am, providing 24hours coverage. They will all operate in their usual reflective jackets.
Odumosu said: “The measure will help in ensuring free flow of traffic and will also curb the menace of traffic robbery. The Commissioner of Police calls on Lagosians to accord the Police Officers on traffic duties maximum cooperation in the discharge of their statutory duties. All road users are enjoined to obey traffic laws”.
In attendance were Deputy Commissioners of Police Department of Finance and Administration, Department of Operations, Criminal Investigation Department and Rapid Response Squad. Also in attendance were Area Commanders, Area Operations Officers, State Traffic Officer, Divisional Traffic Officers across the State and the Chairman Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special offences, among others.
