Kidnapping: Lagos State To Secure Schools With Joint Security Squad

The Lagos State Government  has set up a Joint Tactic Squad comprising officers of all the security agencies to strenghten security within and around Model Colleges and all schools on the outskirts, riverine and other vulnerable areas.

Briefing reporters after the monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and attended by commanders of security formations, Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal said the government  resolved to enforce the State Traffic Law prohibiting operation of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders on certain routes.

Edgal, during the briefing alongside other security chiefs, said the enforcement of the ban on Okada would take place immediately after another round of public enlightenment campaign on the dangers and security implications of plying Okada on restricted routes.

He said: “We deliberated and talked extensively about security in the state especially now that we are in the Ember months. We have heightened security across the state; there is high visibility of police and other security presence across the state. Recall that most of the bridges are being cleared. This effort is geared towards displacing hoodlums who might want to use such areas as hideouts.

“We also talked about the influx of commercial motorcycle operators known as Okada riders. The Council has resolved to enforce the Lagos State Traffic Law prohibiting their operations in certain parts of the state. The enforcement will come up very soon after a lot of enlightenment because we have noticed that with the ban on commercial motorcyclists in some other states, there is that tendency that they might want to migrate towards Lagos.”

On security along the coastal areas, Edgal said in the past few weeks, a lot of efforts have been put in place toward fortifying security in the riverine areas, including Model Colleges and schools in such areas.

 “Security around our coastal areas has also been fortified and the council deliberated extensively about this particularly as it relates to security of all our Model Colleges and other schools that are situated in vulnerable areas.

 “I have taken a tour of all the Model Colleges; all lapses observed have been noted by the Council and the Governor has given instruction that all those lapses be taken care of immediately. We now have Joint Tactic Guards of both the police and the military in all Model schools to heighten security,” he said.

The police chief added that the council approved the resuscitation of the Joint Inter-Agency Raids Committee that will take care of raids on areas that are designated as black spots where criminals hibernate, such as uncompleted buildings, markets, among others.

 He also said the council has approved partnership with the informal policing sector in all neighbourhood to stop the trend of residential robberies.

Also, the CP said all those involved in the murder of the winner of 2007 Gulder Ultimate Search, Hector Jobateh have been arrested including the principal suspect who fired the shot that killed the victim, saying that all the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Edgal urged members of the public to continue to support the police with useful information and tips.

Culled from: The Nation Newspaper