Bullion vans attack: CP blames banks for conspiracy, security lapses

Etim Ekpimah

Police have criticised banks for complicity, security lapses and unprofessionalism they and CIT officials displayed in the attacks on bullion vans in Lagos State.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Hakeem Odumosu, who said this, also frowned at the lackadaisical attitudes of banks and financial institutions in Lagos State to the security of bank facilities and cash in transit.

Odumosu stated this on Tuesday during a parley with banks and cash in transit officials, at the conference hall of Nigeria Police Force, GRA, Ikeja Command.

A statement signed and forwarded to newsmen by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Wednesday noted that the CP particularly referred to the recent attack on a bullion van at Langbasa- Ajah area of Lagos State, where the official deployment of men for such movement was inadequate.

“The Commissioner of Police, at a meeting on Tuesday, with banks and cash In transit officials, at the conference hall of the police command, GRA, Ikeja,  kicked against conspiracy, security lapses and unprofessionalism suspected to have been exhibited by banks and CIT officials in the attacks on bullion vans in Lagos State recently.

“The two policemen who were alleged to be on the escort were procured illegally and without the knowledge of the command. “This kind of a movement is condemned and unacceptable in totality”.

“The CP, therefore, ordered that henceforth, adequate security must be provided for their facilities and movement of cash (cash in transit) after due approval for such movement by the Commissioner of Police as the police command will 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 a minimum of two operational vehicles conveying fully armed policemen escorting a bullion van, which must be fully armoured.

“In compliance with traffic rules, the Commissioner of Police warned them against driving on One Way and BRT corridors, driving of bullion vans without or with covered number plates, breaking of traffic light and reckless driving on highways. He further warned that bullion vans must be roadworthy and standardised by the State Commands Transport Officer,” Odumosu said.

He, however, ordered Area Commanders, DPOs and Heads of Departments to stop and contravene any bullion van on movement without due compliance with the stipulated security arrangements and traffic regulations in the state.

The CP also warned the Commanding Officers of Police Mobile Force in the state to desist from deploying men to banks and financial institutions without due approval of the Commissioner of Police.

In addition, CP Hakeem Odumosu encouraged banks to fortify security in their facilities by installing more sophisticated CCTV cameras that have 100-day recording capacity so as to have a backup and source of evidence in the police investigation of any incident within their areas of responsibility.

At the end of the meeting, CP Hakeem Odumosu formed a committee for the implementation of the rules and regulations of providing security to banks, financial institutions and movement of valuables (cash) within the state. The committee comprises the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, DCP Mohammed Ali, Officer in Charge of Bank Guards, Lagos State Command, two of the Chief Security Officers of the bankers and two representatives of the Cash In Transfer firms.