Ambode Donates Patrol Helicopters, Gun Boats, Vans To Police

APPARENTLY to keep the state safer amid emerging global security threats, the Lagos State government yesterday commissioned and handed over modern security gadgets to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arm of the Nigerian Police in the state.

The gadgets, put at the cost of N4.6 billion, were procured courtesy of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), a joint contribution between the state government and corporate bodies in Lagos.

Among the gadgets handed to the RRS are three patrol helicopters, two patrol gunboats, 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), 100 four-door saloon cars, 55 Ford Rangers pickups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser pickups and15 BMW power bikes.

Others are Isuzu trucks, 100 patrol motorcycles, revolving lights, siren and public address system, vehicular radio communications, bulletproof vests, helmets, handcuffs, uniform kits and improved insurance and death benefits scheme for the officers.

ABOVE: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, (3rd left); Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase (left), Ambode’s wife, Bolanle (2nd left); Minister for Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazua (rtd) (3rd right); Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule (2nd right); and Senator Oluremi Tinubu (right) during the commissioning and handing over of patrol helicopters, vans and other security gadgets donated by the Lagos State government to the Nigerian Police at the Lagos House, Ikeja…yesterday. BELOW: Some of the patrol helicopters, gunboats and other equipment commissioned yesterday.

At a colourful ceremony held at the State House, Ikeja, distinguished guest of honour, President Muhammadu Buhari, said the gesture was a “remarkable feat” that was worth emulating by other states, even as he appealed to corporate bodies to start partnering with security agencies to improve infrastructure nationwide.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau, said the initiative had shown the state government’s commitment to the protection of lives and properties in line with the change mantra of the current administration.

He said Nigeria was witnessing a myriad of security challenges from terrorism to the separatist movement, kidnapping, militancy and armed robbery, adding that addressing these challenges calls for collaboration among critical stakeholders.

He observed that Lagos State had recently experienced a surge in an armed robbery and other sundry crimes.

“By this intervention, therefore, Lagos State government has risen to the occasion by assisting the Nigerian Police within its domain.

“I, therefore, urge other state governments to emulate Lagos State by supporting security agencies that are trying to keep us safe,” he said.

While expressing the Federal Government’s commitment to improve the welfare of police personnel, Buhari challenged the police leadership in Lagos to rise to the occasion and silence crime, particularly armed robberies in the state.

State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, said the recent trend in terror attacks all over the world had made it compelling on emerging global city-states like Lagos to re-energise the security infrastructure in meeting with present day realities.

Ambode said his administration was leveraging on the Rapid Response Squad platform established by Bola Tinubu administration and the LSSTF created during Babatunde Fashola era to meet emerging needs in security infrastructure in the state.

According to him, “the State Police Command has been a major beneficiary of donations of security equipment by the LSSTF and government.”

He added: “Today, we are raising the bar and repositioning the Lagos State Police Command to a standard comparable to similar outfits in other modern city-states. Our Police Command will have its operations significantly driven by the right technology and equipment that will match the emerging sophistication of crime in our contemporary time.

“It is significant to state here that over 50 per cent of this amount came from the Lottery Revenues of the state assigned for good causes and the public good. These vehicles and equipment will enable the Command to effectively cover every part of the state and respond to distress calls faster,” he said.

The governor said given the encouraging partnership and support of well-meaning citizens and corporate organisations, the state is on course to making her domain a safe haven only for law abiding citizens.