Sanwo-Olu gives N60m to families of slain policemen

 Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged to protect the lives and property of Lagosians.

Speaking before eminent traditional leaders and captains of banks and industries, the governor said his administration will flush out criminals whose aim is to foment chaos and perpetrate crime.

He spoke at the 14th annual town hall meeting on security, organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF). Sanwo-Olu told members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) that the Fund to which they had contributed since its formation in 2007 had rejigged security and year after year, ensured the safety of lives.

He said the government was on the verge of introducing a broad security reform before the EndSARS protests occurred.

He said despite the drawback, the government is determined to ensure robust security architecture.

The governor disclosed an imminent take-off of community policing.

He said: “The Year 2020 has indeed been one of complex challenges to the safety and security architecture, but we are rising to the challenge and crisis management capacity. We are resolute about rising above these challenges that threaten our safety and well-being.”

Restating that there is no hiding place for criminals, Sanwo-Olu said the government in the 2021 Appropriation Bill made provision to commit N32.76 billion to public order and safety, in an attempt to secure the state and make it crime-free.

As part of the ongoing security reforms, he hinted at a comprehensive reform of the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), to identify residents, as the government, going forward, may begin to enforce LASRRA registration in addition to other safety and security protocols.

The governor said: “Our collective resolve to defeat crime has so far ensured zero bank robberies in Lagos. We trained and equipped the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), as the foremost crime-busting outfit in Nigeria and through our collective collaboration; we can ensure that our Lagos is not only safe, but also henceforth immune to the level of destruction we witnessed in October.”

The LSSTF Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, said since its establishment in 2007, the Fund has continued to deliver on its mandate to provide equipment, logistics and training for the police and other security agencies.

Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu said crime statistics from October 2019 to September 2020 showed a downward trend, compared to what obtained in the previous year, adding that crimes have been nipped in the bud.

The LSSTF Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said the Board, which came on board in July, saw the need to build on the successes of the past boards and ensure the Fund responds in retooling the state’s security architecture.

The high point of the event was the presentation of N60million to the families of the six police personnel killed in the EndSARS protests.

Presenting a N10million cheque to each of the wives of the officers, the governor pledged scholarship award to the children left behind by the officers.

Among those given the cash benefits were the late ASP Yaro Edwards, who until his death was attached to Denton Police Division and the late Inspector Adegbenro Aderibigbe, who until his death was attached to Meiran Police Station, the late Inspector Ayodeji Erinfolami attached to the anti-kidnapping unit, the late Inspector Samson Ehibo attached to Ilasamaja Police Station and Sergeant Abiodun Bejide of the Operation department.