Lagos State governor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, 20 October reiterated the need for State Police in the country.
The Governor made this need known during a courtesy visit by Commissioners of Police Service Commission (PSC), led by Retired Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, the acting Chairman, at the State House, Marina.
He stressed that the creation of state Police will enable Governors to protect the life and properties of their residents which they had pledged to and as well as guarantee peace and tranquility within their States.
In his words, “We reiterate and seek your cooperation on our collective agitation for a State Police. This is my view and the view of a lot of my colleagues and citizens.
”Giving the age of our democracy, policing at the community level is not only desirable, but it is also important and it is what should be done and what we require.
“We will continue to advocate for State Police. We have said that State Police is not in any form to retrench or reduce whatever the Nigerian Police is doing now.
”There would still be clear responsibility that would be federal in nature; they would still have direct responsibility and oversight to continue to address.
”We also know that if you look at the ratio of policemen to our huge population, we are still far from what it should be.
”So, for us, it is really another level of employment generation; providing what we are sworn to do, which is the protection of life and property; ensuring there is peace and tranquillity within our state”.
The governor, as reported by Vanguard, said the move is constitutional and has been pushed at various stakeholders’ levels.
Sanwo-Olu said that the population is growing on a daily, therefore, there is need to be proactive to be able to respond and ensure that there is no space for criminal-minded people within the territory.
The Governor cheered the Lagos State Police Command led by the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi for their work and promised that his administration will continue to encourage the Police to do what was right at all times.
He also added that his administration will continue to provide maximum security for both local and foreign residents within the state.
Justice Ogunbiyi, speaking earlier commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration on the aspect of security.
She beckoned on other State to emulate the ways of Lagos State Security which she described as “top notch “.
”Lagos is a model of how to handle security situations. The Police are doing a good job in Lagos and they could also replicate in all other states and parts of the country. This is basically why we are here, to appreciate the governor and that he should continue with the good work”, she said.
Ogunbiyi assured that the Commission will ensure that the Community had confidence in the Police and also ensure that the Nigerian Police work within the ambit of the law as well as make certain that they were well looked after.
