Abiodun Alabi, the Lagos Commissioner of Police (CP), has refuted allegations that Lagos was under a partial lockdown due to terrorist threats to attack the State.
Alabi, who was a participant in a stakeholders' forum on police accountability at Ikeja, was reported as saying that the state was under partial lockdown by security forces.
But in a phone call on Thursday morning with The Nation, CP Alabi made clear that he was referring to the alertness at Lagos' entry and exit points.
“What I said was misrepresented. I never said that Lagos is on partial lockdown. I was answering a question and I assured the people that measures have already been taking by putting stop and search operations at the entry and exit points of Lagos.
“Please, residents should be rest assured there is no lockdown in Lagos and they should not panic. These stop and search operations are not new. They have been on for sometime. There is nothing to be afraid of. People should go about their legitimate businesses and assist the police by providing useful information to curb criminality,” he said.
Lagos Police spokesman SP Benjamin Hundeyin while reacting to the report on Twitter, said the CP only affirmed “entry and exit points are being closely monitored by security agencies to forestall any security breach in the state. He gave this assurance while answering a question bothering on
Police stop-and-search in some parts of Lagos State.
“NO PART OF LAGOS IS ON LOCKDOWN, PARTIAL OR TOTAL. All residents of Lagos State are enjoined to go about their lawful duties without fear; while remaining vigilant and observing situational awareness at all times.”