Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, charged security operatives in the state not to allow criminals to make the city a safe haven for their illegal and criminal activities.
The Governor gave the charge during inspections of operation bases of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Ikeja and the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit in Oshodi.
Sanwo-Olu said the security of lives and property remained the topmost priority of his administration while also tasking the security operatives in all formations not to spare any effort in keeping the peace in Lagos.
He said that Lagos must not be a safe haven for crimes and directed the officers to maintain constant security surveillance across the state and flush out criminals from their hideouts.
The Governor, 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 inspected the security facilities in company of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo, and the Executive Secretary of Lagos Security Trust Fund (LSTF), Hon. Abdul-Rasaq Balogun.
Also, heads of the security outfits, including the RRS Commander, Olatunji Disu, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, and the Taskforce Chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), joined the Governor in the inspection.
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.
He said: “To whom much is given, much is expected. I want all the 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 the state. 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.”
CSP Egbeyemi used the occasion to reel out the successes recorded by the Taskforce, pointing out that the outfit had crushed the notorious “Awawa boys” in Agege and seized more than 4,200 motorcycles for various offenses.
Other security outfits inspected by the Governor included Nigeria 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.