Ambode laments security challenges in Lagos

LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday lamented security challenges in the state which he attributed to the continuous influx of foreigners and people from other parts of the country into the state, saying this had increased the state’s vulnerabilities to threats of terrorism, transnational organized crimes, among others.

The governor, however, canvassed a concept of collective vigilance in order to fight the challenges, saying this would create a situation whereby all stakeholders in security management have properly defined roles.

This was just as Governor Ambode just called for consideration of private security sector into the mainstream security architecture of the state.

The governor said this at the inaugural edition of the State Security Summit held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, during which the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, expressed delight that the activities of the dreaded Badoo Cult Group in Ikorodu area of the state, kidnappings and militancy had been brought under control.

Ambode, who was represented by Security Trust Fund Chairman, Mr Oye Hassan-Odukale, said since assumption of office, his administration had been consistently implementing its cardinal programs built on the tripod of security, infrastructural development and poverty alleviation.

While describing the theme of the summit, “Securing Lagos State: Towards a Sustainable Framework for Modern Mega City,” as apt, Ambode said it was specifically designed to deliberate and chart a course to resolve and improve on the existing security in the state.

He said his administration was not only passionate about development but also the security of residents, adding, however, that a lot more still needed to be done in spite of the support extended so far by the government to security agencies through the Security Trust Fund.

“There is a need to examine the concept of collective vigilance in a Mega-City security system in which all stakeholders have properly defined roles and relationships from the primary levels of community security initiatives to tertiary levels in the state.

“This has become necessary because of the continuous influx of foreigners and people from other parts of the country, in their thousands, into Lagos State on daily basis. This has increased our vulnerabilities to threats of terrorism, transnational organized crimes, cyber and violent crimes of wider security dimensions,” the governor said.

“Our human security focus has not only shaped our security architecture which is safety and civilian driven, from the primary to tertiary levels but also guided our choice of infrastructural development projects and directly improves the life of Lagosians.

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“A further analysis of our efforts indicates that less time now spent in traffic by motorists based on our transport sector reforms, better roads to increase the lifespan of vehicles, affordable housing programs, functional health care and education services, as well as employment generation value chain, have all enhanced the well-being of Lagosians. These efforts have indeed reduced all shades of criminalities in the state.

“We must create a sustainable security framework; a framework which will stand the test of time and enable every stakeholder in Lagos to participate. So far, we have been encouraged by the massive contributions of many corporate organizations to the Security Trust Fund, but there is still a lot more to be done.

“Our children must be able to move about without us worrying about them. We must ensure that Lagos continues to be a State of prosperity for all residents and visitors,” the governor added.

Edgal, on his part, gave an overview of crime in the state, saying it was also gratifying to report that crime rate in the state had been on the decline.

According to him, from 2014 to date, a total of 1315 armed robbery attacks, 359 cult-related cases and 392 kidnapping cases were recorded, with several arrests made and prosecutions ongoing.

“In comparison, when I became Commissioner of Police, Lagos State in September last year, I introduced my own policing plan powered by the strategy and philosophy of community policing and community safety partnership.

“Policing like we all know is more about strategy and technology but there are other factors that come to play such as logistics and all that but when there is a clear-cut strategy backed with the right technology, then the war against crime would be won.

“Based on the partnership with the community and other security outfits within our communities, we have been able to bring the activities of Badoo cult group to an end and also discovered suspected notorious shrines in Ikorodu and environs used for suspected ritual killings and other forms of crimes. These shrines have all been demolished.

“Since my assumption of office, we have leveraged on the robust goodwill existing between the police and the government on one hand and members of the public on the other hand to record some modest achievements that have not only consolidated on the achievements of my predecessor and also ensured that the command keep the flag flying,” Edgal said.

The police boss said to a large extent, the command, under his watch, had leveraged on the existing goodwill with the government and the public to keep the state safe.