Child Abduction: Lagos CP Orders Churches, Mosques to Beef up Security in Children’s Department ...To post two police detectives to each place of worship

By Rebecca Ejifoma

Following the new strategy in kidnapping children at religious centres in Lagos State and the arrests of four suspects involved, the state Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, has ordered churches and mosques in the state to beef up security in children’s department during and after their services.

This development follows the recent abductions of two children from the national headquarters of Christ Embassy Church at Oregun and in Latter Rain Assembly in Ogba both in Ikeja respectively.

While admonishing church at a press briefing in Lagos on Monday, Edgal said the trend was a new modus operandi for hoodlums who are trying to infiltrate the state, disguising as worshippers in churches.

Speaking on the modus operandi of the alleged kidnappers, the state police commissioner disclosed that they come like normal worshipers, and while the usher or children department teachers are not watchful, children stray and are kidnapped by the hoodlums.

“Churches and mosques especially must tighten security during worship. We have arrested four of them who are based in Port-Harcourt. They came to Lagos to steal children and relocate to Port Hacourt,” he expressed.

Accordingly, he added that they unmasked the kidnappers using their account details. “Now, the suspects are helping us with investigations. Other suspects will soon be rounded up,” he added.

Edgal said religious centres should work with their Divisional Police Officers (DPO), adding that he has ordered that two police detectives be posted to such centres on Sundays and Fridays especially.

Speaking further, he said: “One will be on uniform outside to watch movements and also guard vehicles, the other detective will be on mufti to secure and watch happenings inside the church.  The have to be vigilance in these places of worship.”