By Abigail Philip David
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has commended Lagos State for its remarkable achievements in combating armed and bank robberies, revealing that only one successful bank robbery has occurred in the state since 2007.
Speaking on Thursday at the 18th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Egbetokun attributed this success to the close partnership between the police and the Lagos State Government.
The details of the meeting were disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the state government.
**Sustained Government Support**
Egbetokun praised the Lagos State Government for its continuous support of law enforcement agencies, emphasizing that the resources provided have been instrumental in maintaining security.
He stated, “What we are witnessing today is part of the regular assistance that the Lagos State Government extends to the police. Without these interventions, the police would struggle to handle the security challenges in Lagos.”
Reflecting on the state’s history of crime, Egbetokun said, “There was a time when armed robbery and bank robbery were rampant in Lagos. However, since 2007, only one bank robbery has succeeded, which occurred in 2014. Those days are behind us.”
Unique Challenges of Lagos
Egbetokun highlighted the distinct security challenges Lagos faces as Nigeria’s economic hub, noting the daily influx of people into the state and its implications for security.
“Lagos, being the economic hub of Nigeria, experiences significant internal migration daily. This poses unique challenges that require the police to continuously adapt and strengthen their strategies to ensure safety,” he explained.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Security Initiatives
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing security by donating over 250 brand-new patrol vehicles, communication equipment, hardware, and protective gear to the police at the event.
Sanwo-Olu also announced plans to leverage technology, including drone surveillance, to improve security monitoring, particularly on waterways and in densely populated areas.
“The mapping and digitalisation of Lagos are nearly complete under the EGIS project,” Sanwo-Olu said. “With this, we will deploy drone technology for enhanced surveillance, enabling us to monitor activities in real-time and respond effectively.”
Collaboration is Key
The event highlighted the critical role of collaboration between the government and law enforcement agencies in maintaining Lagos as one of Nigeria’s most secure metropolitan areas.
Egbetokun stressed that these partnerships are vital for addressing the challenges posed by urbanisation and migration, ensuring Lagos remains a safe environment for residents and businesses alike.
