We can confront any form of criminality, says Lagos govt

The Lagos state government has promised to be resolute in its efforts to flush out kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals from the state.

Steve Ayorinde, commissioner for information and strategy, said this at a NAN forum in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said the government was taking measures to protect the safety of lives and properties and ensure that the state was not a safe haven for criminals.

The commissioner warned criminals to desist from their nefarious activities, saying the state had built a security capacity, robust enough to deal with them, however sophisticated they might be.

“Of course, Lagos is not an Eldorado and so, is not crime-free, but because of the level of investment and the commitment of the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to security and securing lives and property in Lagos state,” he said.

“We can promise and say that we have the capacity to confront all forms of crimes and any form of criminalities, wherever they are committed.

“We have invested heavily on security and our message to criminals is that you cannot toy with Lagos. If they have been doing certain things and getting away in other states, this state will probably be their last.”

The commissioner said the safe rescue of three pupils kidnapped at a missionary school in Ikorodu early in the year and the subsequent arrests of the suspects spoke of government’s determination to get at criminals, wherever they might be.

He said the robust security apparatus of the state also ensured the rescue of Goriola Oseni, the traditional ruler who was recently abducted from his palace.

“Three of the suspects have been arrested and one of the suspects confessed to have advised the others against the act, in view of the strong security capacity in the state,” he said.

Ayorinde said the state government had, in the last 10 months, spent at least N4.8billion on the provision of helicopters, patrol vehicles, gadgets and other items to the police, to sharpen their response to crime situations.

He said all the 117 police stations in the state benefited from the support, adding that each police station got at least one patrol vehicle and two power bikes, to enhance its operations.

Ayorinde said the government had also extended logistic support to other security agencies including the army, navy and other security services.

He said the state`s command centre was being strengthened with equipment and personnel, to ensure rapid response to emergency situations.

Ayorinde urged residents to always reach the centre through the dedicated toll free lines of 112 and 767, to report emergencies like fires, robberies and other violent crimes, for prompt response.