Ambode promises to reward whistleblowers on crimes

• Gov launches safety corps
• Says bills to regulate domestic workers,security guards under way
• Lagos kicks off 50 days non-stop activities to mark anniversary

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said that whistleblowers who provide the state government with useful information on criminals and crimes would be handsomely rewarded.

Speaking at the launch of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Ambode said that more than ever before, the state government was committed to stamping out crimes in the state, which is why the safety corps was launched.

According to him, with the state’s huge population and unique challenges, the police need support to complement their efforts, especially in areas of community policing.
He commended the police for being very supportive in the fight against crimes.

He said: “On August 15, 2016, I assented to the law that created the Neighbourhood Safety Corps. The corps is designed to provide a second layer of policing in order to ensure our state and communities are more secure.

“Let me, however, make it abundantly clear that the Neighbourhood Safety Corps is not in any way in competition with the regular Police Force.“In actual fact, they are expected to assist and complement the police by providing useful intelligence for crime prevention and to facilitate the arrest of perpetrators of criminal activities in our communities.

“In realisation of the fact that nothing can be more important in law enforcement than educating those who enforce it, this crop of elite’ corps have been trained and equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to complement the good work of the Nigerian police. In addition to the induction on orthodox community policing techniques, the corps have been trained in the following skills: mediating disputes and the art of negotiating for peaceful resolution, balancing communal interest in resolving disputes and proactive policing engagement instead of reactive policing.”

Besides, the governor said that a bill to regulate employment of domestic workers and security guards would be sent to the House of Assembly to enhance security in the state.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Government has said that from April 8 to May 27, 2017, it would host 50 days non-stop activities to mark Lagos at 50.Speaking yesterday at a world press conference, Co-chairman, Habib Fashiro and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, jointly said that the activities lined up are both to celebrate Lagos for what it has achieved and would achieve, as well as those who have contributed to what the state has become.

Ayorinde said that though the activities had been on for about a year now, the next 50 days would be to raise the momentum of the celebration.Fashiro said that the activities would end with a special anniversary gala night at the Presidential Lodge in Marina.