Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday
expressed confidence in the ability of the new Commissioner of Police in the
State, Mr Imohimi Edgal to deliver on the enormous task before him in
effectively and efficiently policing the State, saying that the security of
lives and property in the State remain paramount.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Alausa,
Ikeja when he received the immediate past Commissioner of Police in the State,
Mr Fatai Owoseni and the new CP alongside top officers of the Command, said
there was no doubt about the enormous responsibility before the new police
boss, but that it was gratifying that he (Edgal) was very much familiar with
the security architecture of the State.
The Governor recalled how security was made one of the
focal objectives of his administration since inception, saying that the
development was designed as part of efforts to build a solid foundation for the
growth of Lagos economy and welfare of the people.
He specifically thanked Owoseni for contributing
immensely to the security of the State during his tenure as the CP, and wished
him success in his future endeavours.
While officially welcoming the new CP to the State,
Governor Ambode acknowledged the fact that Edgal had been very familiar with
the terrain having been in the State for long, and assured him of the support
of the State Government to ensure his success in office.
He said: “We are comfortable that he (Edgal) does not
have to start trying to learn the ropes because he is very familiar with the
security architecture of the State and the enormity of the assignment that has
been given to him. On our part, we will ensure that we support him as well as
men and officers of the State Command.
“What is most
important to us is that we must keep the city safe. Lagos must be safer, Lagos
must be cleaner and it is based on that we can invite investors to come in.
That is when we can project our 24/7 economy and so we cannot afford not to
have a vibrant police force. More importantly is the fact that we in government
have decided that without a safe city, we cannot have a prosperous State and
the prosperity and the peace that Lagos is enjoying now is actually founded on
that fabric of the safety of lives and property,” he said.
The Governor also assured that his administration will
support the present effort of the Nigeria Police to scale up community
policing.
“We will give the new CP all the support and I want to
also say that we will support community policing. You must have seen that in
our action which was why we established the Neighborhood Safety Corps and we
want to thank the Nigerian Police for supporting that.
“The establishment of the Corps is part of the fabric of
the community policing that the Nigerian Police Force is now projecting and we
will support it with materials, resources and also ensure that every community
is properly policed and in that, we will have the peace that everybody need to
go about their activities without let or hindrance.
“We are very emphatic on law and order and we will ensure
that our judicial system works in convergence with the Nigerian Police so that
we can keep the city safe and more prosperous,” Governor Ambode said.
Besides, Governor Ambode commended President Muhammadu
Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris for the positive
trend and improvement in security that the country had witnessed in recent
time.
Earlier, Owoseni thanked Governor Ambode for the support
the Police Command enjoyed during his tenure, especially the massive
procurement of equipment and logistics for officers, saying that the gesture
contributed largely to the achievements recorded in the last two years.
On his part, Edgal assured that he would hit the ground
running and employ various means including community policing to ensure that
Lagos emerges as the safest city to live and do business in Africa.
He said Lagos, being a cosmopolitan city, must be policed
based on dynamics required, and that he would bring his passion to bear to
ensure that residents of the State can sleep with their two eyes closed.
He specially appreciated Governor Ambode for the support
the police had enjoyed in recent times and pleaded for the continuation of the
kind gesture, just as he assured that security of lives and property of
Lagosians would now be a top priority.
“I want to assure Governor Ambode that under my watch,
you will have no cause for complaints or concerns. We will serve the people of
Lagos with all our hearts and might. Let me use this opportunity also to warn
criminals and hoodlums that it will not be business as usual.
“I also want to warn officers and men of the command that
issues of human rights abuses, corruption, indiscipline generally will no
longer be a slap on the wrists. The full weight of police regulations and the
law will be meted out to anybody found wanting under my watch,” Edgal said.
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