Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on
Monday launched the rebranded Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, with a pledge
that the security of lives and property in the State is now non-negotiable.
A total of 177 Salon Cars and Vehicles equipped with necessary communication gadgets, 377 motorcycles, 377 helmets, 4,000 bicycles, metal detectors for ensuring that illegal weapons are not smuggled into public places, among other operational equipment were handed over to the Corps by the Governor. Speaking at the official launch held at Agege Stadium, Governor Ambode said the move was another giant step towards enhancing security all over the State and a vital part of the ongoing efforts of his administration to reform the security and justice sector.
A total of 177 Salon Cars and Vehicles equipped with necessary communication gadgets, 377 motorcycles, 377 helmets, 4,000 bicycles, metal detectors for ensuring that illegal weapons are not smuggled into public places, among other operational equipment were handed over to the Corps by the Governor. Speaking at the official launch held at Agege Stadium, Governor Ambode said the move was another giant step towards enhancing security all over the State and a vital part of the ongoing efforts of his administration to reform the security and justice sector.
The Governor, who on August 15, 2016 assented
to the law that created the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, said the Corps had been
designed to provide a second layer of policing in order to ensure that the
State and communities are more secure. He acknowledged the fact that the
Nigerian Police had been very supportive to the State Government especially in
fighting crime, but that the need for the Neighbourhood Corps arose from the
identified security challenges confronting the State due to huge population,
adding that the members of the Corps would complement police especially in
areas of community policing. “Let me, however, make it abundantly clear that
the Neighbourhood Safety Corps is not in any way in competition with the
regular Police Force.
“In
actual fact, they are expected to assist and complement the Police by providing
useful intelligence for crime prevention and to facilitate the arrest of
perpetrators of criminal activities in our communities,” Governor Ambode said.
He added that in realization of the fact that nothing can be more important in
law enforcement than educating the people in charge of enforcing the law, the
rebranded Neighbourhood Corps have been trained and equipped with the requisite
knowledge and skills to complement the good work of the Nigerian Police. He
said in addition to the induction on orthodox community policing techniques,
the Corps were also trained on how to mediate disputes and the art of
negotiating for peaceful resolution; balancing communal interest in resolving
disputes and proactive policing engagement instead of reactive policing.
“Special hotlines have also been created direct to the Executive Secretary and
senior management of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency for easy
communication with our communities in the event of any crime.
“Any
valuable information given to the Corps will attract handsome rewards from the
State Government. I therefore call on all Lagosians to join hands with us to
say a final NO to crime in our State. “All these equipment have been made
possible through the judicious use of tax payers money and funds from the State
Lottery Fund for good causes. Please continue to pay your taxes for a better
Lagos.
“I am very happy to state that through this
Safety Corps initiative the State Government has created over 7,000 jobs for
officers of the Corps, artisans and other support staff. Job creation is at the
heart of economic prosperity and we remain fully committed to a more prosperous
Lagos for our citizens,” the Governor said. The Governor, however, charged the
Corps not to indulge in brutalizing citizens, but that they should exercise lot
of restraint, patience, understanding and maturity while carrying out their
duties. Besides, the Governor said in order to further strengthen security, a new
executive bill to regulate employment of domestic workers and security guards
would soon be forwarded to the State House of Assembly, explaining that the
bill, among others, will prescribe regulations for the set of workers and other
details to monitor their activities. While noting that there is no longer any
room for child abuse or under aged workers, Governor Ambode said it had been
discovered that domestic workers were largely undocumented and pose a grave
security threat in the State.
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