Ambode asks for additional Police Area Commands in Ikorodu, Badagry

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday urged the Police to site two additional area commands in the state to check criminal activities.

Ambode made the request while playing host to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris at the State House in Alausa.

The governor, who noted that security had been a major issue, requested that the commands be located in Ikorodu and Badagry areas of the state.

“I am ready to fund additional area commands in Lagos, so I am requesting that we should do two additional area commands in Ikorodu and Badagry.

“There is need for us to pay more attention to the Ikorodu axis because of the kind of report we are getting there,” Ambode said.

The Ikorodu area of Lagos State has been a hotbed of crime, with recurrent cases of kidnapping and attacks by a criminal gang, Badoo, which has accounted for several killings.

Security agencies have also had to battle with cases of bank robberies and pipeline vandalism in the area, where criminals often escape by water.

Like Ikorodu which links Lagos to Ogun State, Badagry, also a border town, also has its own fair share of crime.

Ambode also requested for the mobile command to be relocated to Epe, saying this was necessary because of the economic activities springing up at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

“I know all this comes with additional personnel and financing, but I give my commitment; the safety of the residents is paramount to me and I am ready to fund it.

“There is also need for the creation of a marine post along the waterways; I am ready to support that too,” Ambode said.

He also indicated support for the proposed joint task force of security patrol in the coastal state region, particularly in the South-West region.

“We need to tackle issues relating to our riverine areas and there is need for a joint patrol between Lagos,Ogun and Ondo State to nip the criminal tendencies in the bud,” Ambode said.

He said the government was also in the process of procuring a surveillance aircraft to secure the waterways.

“In addition, we commit ourselves to provide additional Hilux vehicles and also gun boats to support.

“We are ready and committed to support all our security agencies to ensure a safe city,” Ambode said.

Earlier, Idris said that proper funding of the Police force would enable policemen to do their activities squarely.

“Obviously, what normally hampers the police force is the issue of funding intensive activities,” he said.

Idris said that there was a bill before the National Assembly – Police Trust Fund Bill – which once passed into law, would be an instrument to change the face of policing in Nigeria.

He commended Ambode for his support to the police and assured him that the force was strengthening its operations in Lagos to check criminal activities in the coastal areas.