German Embassy Security Breach: Diplomats Call for Intensified Security in Lagos

Following the recent breach at the German Embassy on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, five diplomats from their respective embassies on Thursday tasked the police to intensify security.

The diplomats were drawn from the British High Commission, United States (US),

German, Italian and The Netherlands embassies, all in Lagos. 

Tabling their grouse to the Lagos Police Commissioner, Edgal Imohimi, at the command headquarters in Ikeja, they 

cited the popular Nigerian Army Mammy Market operated in the neighbourhood, as one of the security threats they face. 

They also condemned the activities of touts, who crowd the parking lot by Ahmadu Bello Way end of the crescent to scout customers.

According them, their worries were triggered by the recent security breach at the German Embassy, which almost went out of hand before it was contained.

They appealed to the police boss to close the market and carryout an operation in order to rid the area of criminals they claimed were attracted to the neighbourhood as a result of the market.

In response, Imohimi reminded them that it was a military zone and the police would not conduct any operations there without collaborating with the military.

He educated the diplomats on the need to have at least three armed policemen at all times within their premises.

He also urged them to have a common ground constructed for the printers and photocopiers, where any applicant seeking their services would go to.

Similarly, Imohimi also received the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos  (UNILAG) Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who clamoured for increased patrol on the lagoon bordering the university.

While assuring the entourage that the police has strengthened security on the waterways, he said the marine unit of the command had taken stock of jetties in the state, both public and private ones, which have been included in security arrangements.

Imohimi said perceived troubled spots have also been identified and were witnessing increased patrols, assuring residents of a hitch free yuletide.

In an interview afterwards, the VC said, "The University of Lagos is only the school that has lagoon on one side and we are vulnerable because of the location of the school.

"We have been doing our best to make sure we keep security but at the same time, we have to bring in the state security to assist us."