Lagos boosts RRS, security agencies with 100 patrol vans

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Monday handed over 100 Hilux patrol vans, 150 motorbikes and five mobile cells to the State Police command to boost security in the state.
Fashola said the vehicles were meant to assist security agents and the Prison Service to convey suspects and people who have issues with criminal justice system and are only tools in aid of law enforcement and the provision of security.
He said, 'The communication equipment on those vehicles and motorcycles are also tools but on their own they can do nothing, the control room numbers that are inscribed on them are also communication tools to help members of the public to know who and when to call in terms of distress and crisis in addition to 767 and 112 emergency numbers that we have provided.'



The governor spoke at the Car Park of the Lagos House, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday.
The governor urged the Federal Government to stop deducting money from the state's monthly allocations to fund the Police.
He said that that the  state could not be paying twice as it was doing enough locally not only for the Police, but also for the Prisons Service, the Immigration Service and other federal agencies in the State.
He maintained that the State Government understands its duty to give such support and would do so but must not be compelled to do so by unconstitutional means.

A cross section of 100 patrol vehicles,150 motorcycles and 5 mobile cells during the handing over ceremony to the Police Authorities in Lagos State at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, May 5, 2014. INSET: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle) cutting the ribbon to officially hand over the vehicles. With him are: His Deputy, Hon. (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2nd right), Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (3rd left), Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey (left), representative of the Inspector General of Police and AIG Zone 2, Mammam Ibrahim Tsafe (2nd left) and Chairman, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Remi Makunjuola (right).
Fashola enjoined the law enforcement agencies to put the vehicles and equipment to proper usage, adding that all of the numbers mean nothing unless there were dedicated men and women who choose to act professionally with the responsibility of law enforcement that is entrusted upon them.
Fashola also used the opportunity to reiterate an earlier directive and resolution of the State Security that every Divisional Police Officer must take charge of his area of operation by going around to the residents associations, the landlords associations and introduce himself to them to find out what their problems are, what their concerns are and where they express fears about security issues, he should discuss how they can be better served.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the State Security Trust Fund, Mr Fola Arthur-Worrey, said no government at any level had been so meticulous in terms of the infusion of security value in a very calculated manner that maintains what is called minimum operational capacity at all times like the present administration in Lagos State.
Also speaking, the State Police Commissioner, Umaru Manko  thanked the State Government for the intervention and gave a commitment that that the State Command would make very good use of the vehicles.
In his vote of assurance after the handover, the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar who was represented by AIG Zone 2, Mamman Tsafe commended the State Government for the gesture and reiterated that if Nigeria could have several of the likes of Governor Fashola, the country would be fully secured.