Following the recent attack on a bullion van at Langbasa in Ajah Area of Lagos State, the State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu has set up a committee to address the conspiracy, and lapses of banks and financial institutions on the security of bank facilities and Cash in Transit (CIT).
This was contained in a press release the Spokesman, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi issued on Wednesday December 2 this year.
The CP made this known after a meeting with Banks and CIT officials in GRA Ikeja on Tuesday.
The CP kicked against conspiracy, security lapses, and unprofessionalism suspected to have been exhibited by banks and CIT officials in the attacks on bullion vans in the state recently.
Odumosu referred to the attack on the bullion van at Langbasa where he said there was no adequate and/or official deployment of men for such movement.
In his view, the two policemen 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,” Odumosu noted.
He 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 CP.
He also cautioned that the police command would no longer tolerate any kangaroo security arrangement for cash in transit in the state.
While directing that Standard Operating Procedure on Species Escort (movement of valuables) must be sustained, Odumosu
cautioned that there must be minimum of two operational vehicles conveying fully armed policemen escorting a bullion van which must be fully armoured.
In compliance with traffic rules, the CP strongly warned banks 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 implored that bullion vans must be roadworthy and standardised by the State Commands Transport Officer.
He, therefore, ordered Area Commanders, DPOs and Heads of Departments to henceforth stop and contravene any bullion van on movement without due compliance with the stipulated security arrangements and traffic regulations in the state.
Part of his directive to the Commanding Officers of Police Mobile Force in the state is to desist from deploying men to banks and financial institutions without due approval of the CP.
Odumosu further urged banks to fortify security in their facilities by installing more sophisticated CCTV cameras that have 100 day recording capacity to have a backup and source of evidence in police investigation of any incident within their areas of responsibility.
Odumosu, after the meeting, set up a committee for the implementation of the rules and regulations of providing security to banks, financial institutions and movement of valuables (cashes) within the state.
The committee includes 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 CIT firms.
