30th April, 2013
By Joe Igbokwe
Ordinarily, Lagos like every other smart and intelligent cities in the world, are fertile grounds for criminals. Despite the success story of American intelligence and security community, crimes still thrive in God’s own country in matter of minutes. The truth is that no society is crime free. No society in the world today is immune from criminality. It is part of life. This is the reason why every responsible and responsive government all over the world make security of life and property a number one priority. No government worth its salt will close its eyes on matters of security as security experts tell us that insecurity breeds insecure government and failure of governance.
In the past few years, Lagos State government has placed the security of life and property in the state as its most important agenda and has followed it up with concrete and practical actions. Realizing that Lagos is the home of 70% professionals in Nigeria, the home of Nigeria’s richest men and women and the economic hub in Africa, Lagos State has made monumental investment in security. Governor Fashola in his wisdom set up the Lagos Security Trust Fund (LSTF) and through committed and patriotic efforts of corporate bodies, institutions and eminent individuals in the state, funds were made available to reduce crime to the barest minimum in the state. Right before our own very eyes we have seen Fashola-led government take wars to criminals’ haven in Lagos giving them a run for their money. Almost all the criminal hideouts in Lagos have been dismantled and cleared. Homes for criminals under bridges, dark spots, notorious centres, uncompleted buildings, motor parks, bus stops and slums in the metropolis have been raided and taken over. Courage, professionalism, commitment, intelligence, technology, engagement, tact and ingenuity were deployed and the gains have been very great. Consequently, Lagos became the safest state in Nigeria and as I write this, Lagos is indisputably the safest state in Nigeria, population, size and great economic activities notwithstanding. When kidnappers took over South East and South South recently, many of the indigenes residents in Lagos travelled home to take their loved-ones to Lagos. Many big time business men and women relocated to Lagos to save their lives. When these criminals found out their preys have moved to Lagos, they found themselves out of business. Now the courageous among the criminals are coming to Lagos to try their luck.
In recent times, kidnappers have been making gradual entry into Lagos. They have been getting away with unreported cases of kidnap in Lagos because the victims’ families have been co-operating and paying. It took only the kidnap of the Chairman Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan for Lagos to realise that the fraudsters mean business, suggesting that they too can confront Lagos security machine. Now the battle line is drawn and Lagos is throwing everything into the ring. It is going to be interesting in days to come. Many are now asking this very important question: “How safe is Lagos?” Now get one thing clear; Lagos is safe!
Lagos is safe because huge investment has been made in security in Lagos. Lagos is safe because structures have been put in place in Lagos. Lagos is safe because intelligence, technology, professionalism, commitment and concrete actions have been deployed. Lagos is safe because there is 95% assurance that criminals will be caught before or after the operation. Lagos is safe because we know that in the past banks in Lagos were being robbed almost on a daily basis but today bank robbery has been reduced by 90%. Lagos is safe because we see the physical and menacing presence of mobile security men in almost every corner of Lagos day and night and we see them at work hours on end, come rain, come sunshine. Lagos is safe because even criminals who terrorised others and ran to Lagos have been caught here. Lagos is safe because we have helicopters, gun boats and high-speed motorcycles to complement the efforts other security outfits. With all these structures in place coupled with the presence of committed men and women in the security community in Lagos, it is difficult if not impossible for criminals to get away in Lagos. The criminals may escape for a while but will be caught in a matter of days. That Lagos is safe is not a political gimmick, it is not rhetoric and it is not a matter of playing games or playing to the gallery. I say it with every sense of responsibility and very deep sense of patriotism. The huge investment Governor Fashola made in security in Lagos is yielding huge results and many state states in Nigeria are copying the good work. But we have Lagosians, corporate bodies and institutions to thank for their unprecedented support and encouragement. Fighting crimes in Lagos is a collective responsibility, a concerted effort and team work. Lagos is safe indeed even though there is still much to be done.
•Igbokwe wrote from Lagos