Nigeria: Sanwo-Olu Promises to Revamp Lagos State’s Security Architecture

Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday promised to address the emerging security challenges facing the state through an overhaul of the state’s security architecture.

He disclosed this while addressing journalists after an emergency security meeting with chiefs of security agencies in his office at Alausa, Ikeja.

According to him,  the aim is to address the emerging security challenges facing the state, noting that a re-organisation of the state’s security template was necessary in order to make the state safe for business and living.

Sanwo-Olu stated that security agencies had been placed on alert in preparation for the development. He added that the reform would lead to a new operational template for security operatives and help in achieving efficiency in combating crimes.

He said: “We are just coming out of a security meeting and I wish to assure Lagosians that issues that bother on contemporary security challenges, including cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism and indiscriminate driving against traffic were at the top of our discussion.”

“We are going to revamp our security architecture. All our security formations have been briefed and they are well situated and well informed to keep Lagos safe and secured.”

The governor added that all the security agencies had briefed him about their respective strategies and how they would help in the revamping their operations. He added that the road map for this re-organisation would be unveiled soon.

He pleaded for cooperation from residents when the security plan is rolled out. He said “Making Lagos safe is our daily responsibility and all residents must also take up the challenge. I assure you that we would begin to see a new deal in security which will further improve the safety of lives and property”

“I assure every resident that we are on track. There were few things that we asked ourselves to go and do. There are a few details we are still going to anounce later.”

He pointed out that the security overhaul would also focus on activities of Okada riders and road regulations. He stressed that his government would embark on advocacy on the existing laws restricting motorcycle riding.

 “That’s one of the things we have agreed to do. So, we will be embarking on a lot of advocacy on all media of communications to tell people about traffic and restriction laws. We don’t want to be making arrest without reminding ourselves of the right things to do and how to do it. It is when we have done that and some of us refuse to be compliant that the full wrath of the law would be applied, he said.