…As Ambode presents N4.765bn security equipment to Police

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

THE recent donation of high-tech security equipment worth over N4.765b to the Police in Lagos, has set the tempo of security awareness in the state to a feverish pitch.  In fact, both the police and other security conscious Lagosians are in high spirits hoping that a dearth knell has been struck on the increasing nefarious activites of criminals in the state.

The security vehicles

The target: The equipment which was donated through the state Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, was targetted primarily towards the two major challenges that have apparently continued to beset Lagos State in recent times. They are; insecurity and traffic gridlock.

Trafficgridlock

Following incessant robbery attacks on residents, with three most outstanding fatal operations at Ikorodu, Lekki and most recently, Festac Town, where the robbers escaped unscathed, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode lamented over the shocking revelation that the state has only 33, 000 policemen providing security for over 20 million residents.

 Time for action: “We’re not yet where we want to be. We have only just 33, 000 policemen in Lagos for a population of over 20 million. Again, we don’t have control over these police officers. We need to see some things change. There has to be some form of paradigm shift; we want to see our police officers patrol in convoy between 12 midnight and 4am. People must see improvement on it.

That’s why on our part, we have gone out of our budget limits, using our resources from the Security Trust Fund, to say that, yes, it might not be within our budget, but we would spend money to support the Police because if the state is safe, the economy will thrive,” he said.

Donation of equipment: Taking a pragmatic step towards the above assertion, Ambode, last weekend, handed over series of security equipment and vehicles to the State Police Command and the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, to effectively tackle criminal activities.

The Armoured Personnel Carriers

Presenting the apparatus to the police command in the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Interior, Lt-General Abdulrahman Danbazzau (retd) and the Inspector -General of Police, Solomon Arase, Ambode affirmed that it would no longer be business as usual for armed robbers and criminals.

The security equipment include: 100 four-Door Salon Cars, 55 Ford Ranger Pick-Ups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-Ups, 15 BMW Power Bikes, 100 Power Bikes, Isuzu Trucks, three Helicopters, two gun boats, 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC, revolving lights, siren and Public Address System, PAS, drones, vehicular radio communicators, security gadgets; including bullet proof vests, helmets, handcuffs, uniforms, kits and improved insurance and death benefit schemes for officers, among others.

Public display of drones: There was a display of how drones would be deployed to carry out aerial surveillance both during traffic, robberies and emergencies as well as traffic related robberies. The helicopters were purchased purposely for combating crimes as well as unlocking traffic gridlock from the aerial, while the gun boats are to boost security on waterways by the Marine department of the Nigeria Police.

Others are also to boost land security across the metropolis. The operations of all these equipment are linked with the Central Control Centre for synergy and easy communication needed for effective security management.

Buhari laments: During the ceremony, President Buhari issued  marching order to the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase to put an end to all forms of armed robbery and flush out criminals from Lagos State, even as he affirmed that his administration would concentrate on providing logistics, training and welfare of security agencies in the country to conform with international best practice.

Sundrycrimes

The president lamented that the spate of armed robbery and other sundry crimes in Lagos has increased lately and urgent attention was required to end the current challenges. He noted that the state government has through the donation, showed its resolve to address the challenge headlong.

The patrol vans

“I therefore, seize this moment to challenge the leadership of the Nigeria Police to see this donation as the clarion call to decisively deal with violent crimes in Lagos State, particularly the menace of armed robbery that is  threatening to hold helpless residents of Lagos hostage,” he stated.

Ambode and repositioning of Police: In his comment, Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode stated that with the new development, the state Police Command has been definitely repositioned to compare to similar outfits in other modern city states, like New York, in United States of America, among others.

It was gathered that before the distribution of the equipment, members of the Police Command have been undergoing training to better equip them for the job.  The Rapid Response Squad Squad was also re-branded to give them a new identity.

Tasking the police, the governor stressed that, “We say to whom much is given, much is expected. Law enforcement officers are never ‘off duty.’ They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect the public at any time and place. Lagosians will not accept excuses.”

It’s a challenge – IGP

The-drones-on-dis-play

Responding, IGP said, “I can assure you that the huge resources spent in procuring these equipments will not be in vain. With these equipments, you have motivated us and assure us that as we work to advance your vision for a safe and secured Lagos State, you will be by our side.”

Lawmakers, groups, hail distribution of security equipment

A cross section of Lagos residents also commended Governor Ambode for equipping the state police command with modern security gadgets and repositioning the RRS. A lawmaker representing Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Taofeek Adaranijo, described the development as a strong statement by the Governor that the security of lives and property is of paramount importance to him.

Another lawmaker representing Ifako Ijaiye Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Elijah Olu-Adewale, stressed that the equipment will go a long way in boosting the capacity of the police to swiftly respond to security threats in the state.

Securitythreats

On his part, Lagos lawyer and activist, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa commended the governor for the initiative to equip the police, but urged the Federal Government to pay adequate attention to provision of job opportunities for the youths so as to keep them gainfully engaged.  He also urged the Police to intensify efforts to boost the morale of the rank and file of the police.“

Also speaking, Chairman of the Igbo United Political Coalition in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Kanayo Osondu, said Governor Ambode’s gesture to the police will go a long way to address the menace of street urchins and hoodlums who take advantage of traffic situations to rob unsuspecting citizens.

He, however, urged the IGP to ensure that the vehicles and other equipment are maintained to ensure that the purpose of acquiring them is not defeated.