Law enforcement officers to start wearing body cameras in Lagos

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, has rolled out the plan for law enforcement officers in the state to use body cameras.

The governor announced on Tuesday that law enforcement officers will be trained on the usage of the gadget.

He said the training will be conducted by the Lagos state Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI).

Sanwo-Olu said: “I am pleased to inaugurate the use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement officers in Lagos and this is a groundbreaking move to enhance safety in the state, as well as increase transparency and accountability in the activities of our law enforcement agencies.

“Lagos state has strategically set the pace among other states in Nigeria to launch the use of body worn cameras by law enforcement officers.

“The security challenges in different parts of the country are worrisome, but with proactive action, the use of modern technological tools, and a mix of well-trained and intelligent officers, we will successfully combat many of these challenges. With body-worn cameras, our law enforcement officers are better equipped to protect lives and properties, thereby, making Lagos safer for us all.

“I am hopeful that all officers will optimise the cameras that will be assigned to them for the furtherance of justice and improvement of the law enforcement process. Our government will continue to prioritise the welfare of our law enforcement officers whose pivotal efforts we acknowledge in the entrenchment of a safe city.”

Olajide Oduyoye, general manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), had in February said enforcement officers will use the cameras to capture traffic violations.

“This year, we are going to be having body cameras on officers to capture incidences because things happen so fast,” he had said.

“You can’t really say let me get my camera. But if you have your body camera on that is recording, then you can capture all sorts of different things that you can use against offenders.

“Those who willfully disobey traffic signs go in the middle of the night to remove those signs. When they are caught, they will say that there were no signs. They go and remove the signs to prove they aren’t aware of the signs. This happens all the time.”