Everyone can arrest Suicide Bombers! - Lagos CP

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, says residents of the state are allowed to arrest anyone suspected to be a suicide bomber, and hand him over to the police.

The CP added that the police had also deployed its surveillance teams to monitor motor parks and other public places in a bid to ensure that there was no incidence of terrorist attack.

Owoseni, who said this on Sunday in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Metro, added that suicide bombers would be recognised first by their unusual movements and inquisitive behaviour.

He said, “The practical step to take when residents suspect a suicide bomber is to alert the security agencies. The police are near to everyone. The residents can also make an arrest before the police arrive. It is allowed.

“One of the signs to look out for is the behaviour. A suicide bomber behaves unusually. He also moves in a suspicious manner. Such people are too inquisitive about the areas where they find themselves. Also, they hardly make friends; they are lone rangers.

“Any car that is parked in an unusual manner should be reported. One of such signs is that one side of the glass is wound down, and other sides rolled up.

“We expect that if residents see vehicles in their areas unattended to, they would raise the alarm immediately. If anyone sits in a parked car without winding down the glass, people should accost him and ask him questions.”

Owoseni said the police in the state had met with the Hausa communities, transport park unions and boat operators to sensitise them on what the police expected from them.

He said, “We have deployed operatives in all the motor parks. We also held meetings with unions like Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers; we are collaborating with them.

“The police met the Arewa communities in the Agege and FESTAC areas, where I told the Imam and the leaders of the Hausa groups that any suspicious face should be immediately reported to the police.”

Two security experts, Richard Amuwa and Dr. Ona Ekhomu said vigilance was the only way to recognise terrorists.

Ekhomu,  the President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria ,said “Boko Haram members have been with us for a while; so one thing we can do is to be vigilant against the influx of strangers into neighbourhoods. Landlords associations should register okada (motorcycle) riders and keke NAPEP (tricycle) drivers. Give them vests so that any stranger would be picked up.

“Also, ask questions if anyone moves suspiciously in your area. Look out for one another. Everybody must be their brothers’ keepers.”

Ekhomu said the ammunition of war of Boko Haram members was usually the IEDs.

“So, if you see anyone collecting cans; or anyone with bags of fertiliser; or anyone with container of diesel when they don’t have a generator, be suspicious. These are ingredients for IEDs. Boko Haram don’t have easy access to high explosives,” the security expert added.

He also urged Lagosians not to be confrontational if someone looked suspicious. He added that the suspect might be armed and could kill to save himself.

Ekhomu said, “Contact the authority immediately. You can also contact the media to ensure accountability by the security agencies.”

Also, Amuwa said the police should be ready to work with the people without creating fear in them.

He said, “The people should not hesitate to raise the alarm if they see any strange face in their environment.

Amuwa, who is the Managing Director of the Mega Guards Services Limited, also advised the government to ban the wearing of hijab for the time being, saying the veil worn by muslim women, was being used by terrorists to shield explosives.

He said, “The problem is that how do you detect a Boko Haram member? If you are wearing shirts and the terrorist is wearing hijab, how do you figure him or her out? That is why we have asked the government to stop the wearing of hijab for now.”

Copyright PUNCH.