Lagos – Worried by the state of insecurity in the country, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said Nigeria still parades a police formation that was yet to abandon strategies and others facilities inherited from its colonial masters.

Fashola, made the statement while commissioning the Information and Communication Technology, ICT, Centre at Area F Police Command, Ikeja, which also had in attendance the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Nike Animashaun and others.

According to him, “We are still carrying a police formation that I think has not left some of its colonial inheritance. The colonial foundations were reliable at that time. Even those who gave the police to us have changed many times over” to suit the current trend.

HANDOVER: Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Mrs. Nike Animashaun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, Commissioner for Science and Technology, during the handing over of Area F- Police Command, Ikeja Information Technology Resource Centre , GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Akeeem Salau.

The governor noted that there was need for the country’s security operatives especially the police to adopt modern strategies to combat crime.

He noted that in this 21st century; “How can we expect policemen to work without technology? How can they detect crime, even after detecting it, how will they be able to keep records? If the environment is not conducive, one should expect that such production centre will not produce quality.”

The governor said that the technology needed to enhance policing in the country “does not cost too much. But the right attitude that the problem is there affects its provision.

“I believe that this country can build a 21st century police force that will have the best and brightest to pursue a career and will reach the top. This will start from work environment, tools and the dignity with which the police carry themselves.

“That was why we are changing some of the designs of the Police Area Commands in the state to give them a more contemporary look and to make the environment conducive and comfortable for the police officers. This is because policing is a very important job.”

He urged Nigerians to have a second look at their police “and see how we could make the police function the way we want it to.”