Governor Ambode and Rising Insecurity in Lagos

Lagos State is fast becoming an extremely dangerous place to live. Hardly will any day pass without incidents of heinous armed robbery attacks, abductions or violence in one part of the state or the other. Lagosians no longer sleep with both eyes closed. This week alone, we saw the murder of the Managing Director of Lekki FTZ, Tajudeen Disu. Just on Tuesday, a 50-man armed robbery gang took over FESTAC town for about two hours. They robbed two banks in the estate and in the process, killed a middle-aged woman and her daughter.

The case of a 30-man gang that raided two banks in Ogolonto, Ikorodu in June is still fresh in our memory. The Ogolonto operation lasted for about two hours unhindered. Three weeks earlier in the same Ikorodu, the same gang invaded and robbed the First Bank and Wema Bank branches killing two people in the process. Daily, we are bombarded with tales of numerous attacks on residential areas and commercial premises across the state. I am deeply worried. Many other Lagosians are also worried. The traumatic effect aside, insecurity is a big disincentive to development, investment and tourism. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as the Chief Security Officer of the state has to attack this menace with all his might.

Going forward, he has to refocus and reinvigorate the state-funded Rapid Response Squad to nip in the bud this menace. The squad must be proactive and responsive. Intelligence gathering and technology are essential here. I am also recommending the establishment of a Tactical Committee for the squad, made up of reputable retired police officers of Lagos origin and other experts. This should be the think tank and brain box of the Lagos RRS. The Lagos State Police Command also needs assistance in terms of equipment to enhance patrol of dark spots. I know that LASG has been assisting in this regard. But more still needs to be done. I would like to see the police taking the battle to criminals in dark spots across Lagos State.
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THISDAY