By Wale Ishola
The Lagos State Police Command has frowned at the lackadaisical attitudes of banks and financial institutions in Lagos State to the security of bank facilities and cash in transit.
According to a statement made available by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Muyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, said the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, at a meeting held on Tuesday with banks and cash-in-transit officials, kicked against conspiracy, security lapses and unprofessionalism suspected to have been exhibited by banks and CIT officials in the attacks on bullion vans in state recently.
“In particular, the police boss referred to the attack on a bullion van at Langbasa- Ajah area recently, where there was no adequate and/or official deployment of men for such movement.
“The two policemen allegedly on the escort movement were procured illegally and without the knowledge of the command.
“This kind of a movement is condemned and unacceptable in totality.”
He, therefore, ordered that henceforth, adequate security must be provided for their facilities and movement of cashes (cash in transit) after due approval for such movement by the Commissioner of Police as the police command would no longer tolerate any kangaroo security arrangement for cash in transit in the state.
“The police boss also directed that Standard Operating Procedure on Species Escort (movement of valuables) must be sustained; noting that there must be minimum of two (2) operational vehicles conveying fully armed policemen escorting a bullion van which must be fully armoured.”
