Lagos residents have been warned to ensure that domestic workers employed were duly profiled by the police.
The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, gave the warning on Friday, disclosing that some of the militants and kidnappers dislodged from creeks now disguise as private security guards.
Owoseni said the policemen are already taking census of some of the estates where kidnappers have been posted by their firms as guards, without knowing they were spying on victims.
He also disclosed that cases of criminality perpetrated by domestic helps were on the increase especially with respect to drivers fleeing with their employers’ vehicles.
The police commissioner warned estate managers, private guards to stop denying policemen on patrol duty access into the premises, adding that the command was working with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to address anomalies.
Owoseni said: “Criminal elements and suspected militants and kidnappers have found themselves enlisted into services of private security company, where they choose the estates they want to go and work.
“It gives them platform to do monitoring and then give information to their cohorts outside. The command wants to advice Lagos residents on the need to profile and vet domestic servants and drivers they employ.
“By doing that, they would be helping to secure themselves, protect valuables and assist the police in its quest to reduce crime to minimal level in Lagos.”
Giving details of arrests made by the command between Tuesday and Friday, Owoseni said a syndicate that advertises and present themselves as drivers in order to steal from their employers was apprehended.
He said: “They do so in connivance with guards in some of the houses they work as drivers. We got four members of the gang after a Hyundai jeep which was stolen from the owner’s home, was intercepted in Ondo State, enroute Abuja.
“Through diligent investigation, kingpin James Jacob was arrested. During interrogation, three others were arrested. On a serial basis, they give out themselves as drivers. After working for the family for sometime, they steal the car or connive with guards.
“They have confessed that there are five other cars stolen in that manner. James Jacob was paraded last year for a case of rape and theft of vehicle. He raped his boss’ house help and stole the car. He was charged to court but unfortunately, he got bail and refused to learn his lessons.
“The gang had plate numbers belonging to government offices, which they use to move stolen vehicles to places they sell them.”