Lagos residents have appealed to the police to return to their duty posts and ensure the safety of lives and property.

The appeal was made on Tuesday on social media platforms following the continued absence of the police on Lagos roads.

Lagosians reminded the police that it was their job to protect lives and property, urging them to forget the ugly incidents of last week.

Some of the residents decried the activities of armed hoodlums, who have taken over major roads and streets since the police retreated, while others lamented the lawlessness of motorists, especially commercial drivers, who park indiscriminately or drive against traffic.

Sulaimon Alamutu said PWD, a bus stop along the Agege Motor Road, was a complete mess following the absence of law enforcement officers.

Another resident wondered when law enforcement officers would start working again.

“Imagine people taking one way from Obalende to Ogudu on Monday morning,” he said.

In an open letter to the police on Facebook, a woman, Safiya Musa, apologised on behalf of Nigerians who demonised the service and grouped all operatives in the ‘bad eggs’ basket.

She wrote: “Dear Nigeria Police Force, please we apologise on behalf of Nigerians who demonised you. They put everyone in the ‘bad eggs’ basket, and for this we say sorry.

“Now we know how important you guys are, and we’ve realised that not all of you are bad.

“Please stop being angry and help protect lives and property, while you get rid of the bad eggs among you. We know many of you have low morale at the moment, but please think of Nigeria.”

Amarachi Ogbonnaya said she never knew that the police were important.

Chioma Veronica said without security operatives, lives and belongings are not safe.

Our correspondent observed on Tuesday that policemen were yet to return to the streets, as most duty posts usually mounted by the police before the outbreak of violence last week were still deserted.

Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were also not seen in parts of the state visited by our reporter.

( The Nation )