The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday stressed the need for the nation’s security and safety strategies to be anchored on appropriate technology for efficient and effective crime fighting.
The Governor spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, at the Federal and States Security Administrators’ Meeting, holding at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Ambode added that effective crime fighting in this age must be technology and innovation driven.
He added that in order to improve the security supports for the people, the State Government would continue to partner with the Federal Government in ensuring peace and security across the nation.
He also said the State Government would remain committed to supporting security agencies in the State within the limit of its resources.
According to him: “It must however be emphasized that effective crime fighting in this modern age must be technology and innovative driven.”
Ambode said in the past, the State was faced with security challenges that tasked its capacity, especially in tracking criminal activities in the creeks and waterfront communities.
He added that the Government evolved proactive strategies with the support of local communities and security agencies operating across the state, stressing that Lagos State has become a “No Go” area for inter State or across boundary marauders, and individual or groups with criminal intent as of today.
He stated that about two months ago, the State commenced a massive awareness campaign, tagged: “Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse,” as a response to the dangerous dimension drug abuse has taken and its implication on security and safety of lives and property.
He stated further that some few days ago, the state government made a donation of Hilux, Green Maria and Ambulance to the Nigerian Prisons Service in the State.
He emphasized that the Government made a commitment to provide Health Care Services to the inmates, adding that necessary steps had been taken within its capacity to decongest prisons in the state.
“The decision to host this meeting at the time is a testament to the high premium our administration places on issues of security and safety of our people,” he said.
Ambode said the meeting came at a crucial time when political activities are gathering momentum towards the 2019 general election, adding that it is expected that the meeting would come up with strategies that will effectively address the peculiar security challenges that may impact negatively on electoral process.
He charged participants to deliberate on evolving effective strategies that would enhance security and safety of the people especially in the deployment of personnel and logistics.
Earlier in her address, the Chairman of the Federal and State Security Administrators Meeting, Dr. Amina Shamaki, noted that the recent spate of oil and gas facilities vandalization, illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft is putting the the Nigerian economy in dire situation and possessed the potential of plunging the country into further financial crises.
Shamaki added that as at the time Nigeria has just exited recession and the economy remains fragile, there was the need for everyone to collectively combat these infractions in order to eliminate the oil theft and pipeline vandalism as a matter of urgent national priority.
The Chairman expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government and good people of the state for accepting to host the meeting despite the short notice and called on other states to emulate such goodwill and support.
The meeting, which draws attendance from all the States of the Federation, will end on Friday with a communique.