The Lagos State Police Command and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, have reiterated their commitment to securing the country, warning that the era of criminals sneaking out of the country is over.
The two agencies made this pledge when the Comptroller of NIS, Lagos Command, Aliyu Akadri, visited the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.
Olohundare said: “The visit of the Comptroller is a testament to the cordial relationship we have been enjoying over the years. Working together will broaden the synergy and ensure that we achieve the objectives we were set up for. We will ensure that Lagosians, Nigerians by extension, and visitors enjoy the best security in the state.
“We will improve on what we have. No organisation can do it alone. There are instances where we will be looking for suspects and the NIS equally needs intelligence in areas of concern. They too alert the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on suspects that may come into the country. We lecture our personnel on the need to be on the same page.”
When asked about the level of cooperation needed to track fleeing suspects, Akadri said: “We need each other. The police are with us at the border to curb border crimes. We need every agency to ensure security.”
On suspects fleeing the country, he said: “We cannot stop any fleeing suspect from getting a passport with a court order. Immediately we are informed about a suspect, we swing into action. Systems have been put in place to help us work better. No one can sneak out with the new system we have deployed. We still monitor anyone trying to sneak out through illegal means.”
We also track anyone trying to leave the country illegally.
“It’s a warning to any criminal to erase any attempt to sneak out of Nigeria. We are up to the task now.” On those who have their passport submitted to the court and still leave the country, he said: “Some people have two passports; so it’s difficult to stop if they present the other passport.”
