Sanwo-Olu to police, security agencies: Make Lagos unsafe for criminals

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged policemen and security operatives to ensure that criminals do not have breathing space in the state.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Tuesday during his visits to Rapid Response Squad (RRS) office in Ikeja and the office of Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force) in Oshodi and other agencies in the state, including Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Legion Corps, Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LSNSC), Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps(LAGESC), and Lagos Fire Fighters.

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Sanwo-Olu was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Jaji; Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Chief of Staff (COS) , Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo, and the Executive Secretary of Lagos Security Trust Fund (LSTF), Hon. Abdul-Rasaq Balogun.

Sanwo-Olu, who noted that security of lives and property remained the topmost priority of his administration, charged the security operatives in all formations not to spare any effort in keeping the peace in Lagos, declaring that the state must not be a safe haven for criminals.

The governor, while directing the officers to maintain constant security surveillance across the state and flush out criminals from their hideouts, however, cautioned the officers against impunity in the discharge of their duties, urging them to carry out their responsibility with humility and interact with residents in manners that would uphold respect for human rights.

Sanwo-Olu said the residents deserved a premium quality of security to justify the resources being committed by the state to fund security agencies’ operations, contending that much was expected of them.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. I want to all people of Lagos to feel the operation of the new improved RRS, which must ensure that criminals and people that have criminal intention do not have a space in communities across Lagos. We are aware of the efficient operations of our security outfits, but we must raise the bar of policing in our communities to reassure residents and investors of their security.

“The residents are your partners in securing the state. I want to see humility and respect for people’s rights in the discharge of your duties. Spare no effort in dealing with criminals, but the offenders that deserve correction should be corrected without impunity. Lagosians expect so much from us in terms of improved security; you must make the state safe for law-abiding residents,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who noted that the intention of establishing the security operation outfits was to protect the people and their properties, said taxpayers should not feel threatened by the operations of the security personnel, even as he urged the officers to engage their duties in line with professionalism.

The governor said he expected to see security operations that would have a human face, warning officers against abuse and extortion of residents, just as he assured that government would not hesitate to keep to fulfil its responsibility in supporting and motivating the officers deployed for the special security operations.

“Your responsibility is to continue to discharge the duty for which you are paid from taxpayers’ money. If any of you is called upon to discharge your duty, we expect you to do it with professionalism. You should not engage your duty with impunity and without human face to it. Let people feel the positive impact of your activities.

“We are aware of your challenges. We have gone round and seen what is on ground. Some vehicles need to be repaired; a few vehicles need to be bought. Some logistics need to be provided and more equipment required. These demands will always be there.

“That is why we have come here to see for ourselves. We will continue to live up to the expectations required from us and discharge our responsibility as at when due. But, we demand premium service in terms of security; the people will be the one to assess your efficiency,” he said.

Speaking, commanders of the security outfits used the occasion to notify the governor of their operational challenges, while also demanding for better welfare and quality equipment that would enable them to discharge their duties.

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Corporal John Bankole, who spoke on behalf of operatives attached to RSS outfit, complained about the challenges faced by officers in getting treatment at public hospitals in cases of accident and injury.

He also complained about delayed allowance, inadequate patrol vehicles, shortage of kits and uniforms.

Responding, Sanwo-Olu ordered the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health to ensure immediate treatment of security personnel injured in the line of duty in all state-owned healthcare facilities, while also assuring the policemen of improved motivation and welfare.

Task Force boss, CSP Yinka Egbeyemi, used the occasion to reel out the successes recorded by the agency, pointing out that the outfit had crushed the notorious “Awawa boys” in Agege and seized more than 4,200 motorcycles for various offences.