Ambode’s red card to criminals

If there are doubts about Governor Ak­inwumi Ambode’s policy to rid Lagos State of criminals, such were dispelled on Friday, November 27, 2015. It’s also instructive to note that Ambode’s critics who have unfairly concluded he had no solution to the security challenges in the state have been proved wrong as he has donated security vehicles and equipment to the police to combat crime in the state.

Here is a checklist of the N4.8billion vehi­cles and equipment handed over to the police by Governor Ambode: 100 4-door salon cars, 55 Ford Ranger pick-ups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser pick-ups, 15 BMW power bikes, 100 power bikes, Isuzu trucks, three (3) helicop­ters, two(2) gun boats, 15 Armored Person­nel Carriers, Revolving lights, Sirens ,Public Address System, Vehicular Radio Commu­nicators, bullet proof vests, helmets, hand­cuffs, uniforms, kits and improved insurance and death benefit schemes for officers.

The above is a comprehensive package geared towards fighting crime in Lagos. While we cannot deny the fact that there was an upsurge of crime in Lagos in recent times before Ambode settled down as Governor, it is unfair to conclude that he is not doing any­thing about it. We should realize that polic­ing a city-state like Lagos can’t be a tea party.

It indeed, involves huge investment in security equipment in assisting the police to effectively secure the city. We all know that previous governments also committed huge resources to assist the police in the area of equipment, logistics and training ,but we should not forget that this gesture must be continuous for the police to remain focused and active.

There is no doubt that most of the vehicles bought for the police in the past had become unserviceable and many of the equipment have either become outdated or faulty. This means that these must be replenished and modern equipment must be provided for the police.

What Ambode has done is to restore con­fidence in Lagosians that their safety as well as that of their property is assured. It’s also a red card to criminals who have devised new ways of making life hellish for Lagos residents. These criminals suddenly found it easier to rob unchallenged in traffic jams and they have also discovered that the waterways have provided a shield for their nefarious activities. But the criminals who I am sure watched the presentation ceremony which was televised live, would have had a rethink by now.

The power bikes would come handy in ap­prehending traffic robbers while the helicop­ters would be used for surveillance and trans­mission of information to the security agents on ground. The gun boats will no doubt put the fear of God into creek robbers who rely on speed boats to get away after robbing their victims.

Helicopters and gunboats will put these creek robbers in check. Bank robbers will also have a rethink as Armored Personnel Carriers will be deployed at short notice.

I cannot agree less with the Minister of the Interior, Lt Gen Abduraman Dambas­sau, who represented President Buhari on the occasion, when he called on men of the Lagos State Police Command to ensure that their equipment is preserved through dili­gent maintenance culture in order to justify the huge resources expended on them. The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase who was present at the event was so im­pressed that he made a promise on behalf of his men that they will be more alive to their responsibilities with the new vehicles and equipment presented by the state govern­ment because to whom much is given, much is expected. Ambode did not stop at provid­ing vehicles and equipment to the police, he also provided insurance for policemen.

The involvement of the police high com­mand and the Minister of Interior in the effort to combat crime in Lagos State underscores Ambode’s capability to confront the security challenges of Lagos State head-on as a team player who believes that the issue of security involves all critical stakeholders. The minis­ter of the interior, who represented President Mohammadu Buhari, was so fascinated with Ambode’s gesture that he enjoined other governors to emulate him.

The first thing that comes to the mind of an average Lagosian given the aforementioned is the reassurance that they can sleep with their eyes closed. There will be no more ex­cuses on the part of the police that there is no patrol vehicle, no bullet proof vest, no gun­boat to combat waterways robbers etc.

The new items presented to the police have started yielding results as the state’s Po­lice Commissioner, Mr Fatai Owoseni has increased police presence at dark spots in the state from about 165 locations to over 200. This is possible because of the new vehicles and gadgets.

Apart from the vehicles and equipment presented to the police, Ambode still has a lot of work to do in terms of easing the traffic gridlock in the state which emboldens rob­bers to operate in the first place. While Lago­sians have noticed a tremendous improve­ment in the traffic gridlock in the state in recent times due to the collaborative effort of the various drivers’ unions who are now Spe­cial Traffic Marshals and the enforcement of traffic rules, the situation could still be better if this tempo is sustained. Little wonder he told police authorities that Lagosians would no longer accept any excuses after the huge investment his government has committed on the vehicles, equipment, training and their insurance packages.

What Ambode has done was to take secu­rity agents to the public court and tell them that he has played his own part leaving the rest to the police. This is the best way to go as the whole world now shifts attention on how the security agents utilize the items pre­sented to them to the benefit of the general public. As the Chief Security Officer of the state on whose table the buck stops, Ambode has demonstrated that he is in charge and on top of the security situation in the state. Be that as it may, the Federal Government whose responsibility it is to kit and supply equipment to the police should not abandon this duty to state governments. If Lagos State government was wise enough to invest such a colossal sum on security, what of other states that are not so buoyant but with secu­rity challenges?

As Lagosians bask in the euphoria of the new equipment presented to the police to secure them and their property, we hope the police will reciprocate the gesture as prom­ised by the IGP by chasing the criminals out thereby making the state safe and secure.