Police Boss Orders Crackdown on Phone Extortion Gangs in Lagos

Police Boss Orders Crackdown on Phone Extortion Gangs in Lagos

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has ordered increased security patrols and vigilance to stop the rise in violent phone extortion cases in the state.

This is coming on the heels of an alert of an emerging security threat in Lagos State, by some miscreants who snatch phones from unsuspecting passers-by in broad daylight and thereafter demand money before releasing the phone to the owner.

Sometimes, these miscreants, as gathered, would approach passers-by while making a call with their phones, demanding for it, or an alternative of cash between N5,000 and N20,000, depending on the type of phone.

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The command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Monday, disclosed that Fayoade warned that Divisional Police Officers in whose area of responsibility such an incident occurs again would be severely sanctioned.

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The statement partly read, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has received with concern reports that young men in certain parts of Lagos State seize passersby’s phones to extort them despite the sustained raids being carried out by officers and men of the command.

“CP Fayoade has, therefore, directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers especially in identified areas to redouble security architecture and enhance their neighbourhood and foot patrol within their areas of responsibility to tackle this emerging menace.

“He gave this charge during an early morning meeting with all Area/Squadron/Tactical Commanders and DPOs on Monday, April 8, 2024.

“The CP has further warned that any officer in whose AOR such an incident occurs again would be severely sanctioned, assuring that the command remains unrelenting in its resolve and determination to continue to stamp out, and make the public space hot for criminal elements.”

The command also thanked residents for notifying the police of such incidents and encouraged Lagosians to continue to say something when they see something.

Hundeyin also disclosed that Fayoade has ordered the immediate prosecution of 303 suspects arrested over the weekend during raids across the state