The Lagos State Government has declared its readiness for take off of for state police, adding that its only waiting for the whistle to be blown for the creation, stressing that the security of Nigeria will be addressed by having state police or community police.
Penpushing reports that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro made this known on the sideline of the 10th Ramadan Lecture organised by Anwar-ul Islam Old Students Association (ACAOSA), on Saturday in Lagos.
The Attorney General who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria explained that he had been advocating for state police as far back as 2001, to improve security, stressing that Lagos is overready for the state police to compliment Neighborhood Safety Corps already in place
“As far back as 2001, I have always maintained that the security of this country will be addressed by having state police or community police. We are talking about police system that is indigenous to the people themselves’, he said.
‘Lagos is overready for the state police. I can assure you that because we have our own Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps already in place and fully kitted and ready with even body cameras’, Pedro added.
‘I think we are ready to go in Lagos. If any state is ready, I can confirm to you today from what Mr Governor – Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu – has done, Lagos State is ready. Just give the whistle and you see our police officers on the road’, he said.
Penpushing further reports that Pedro stressing the imperative of indigenous police in each state, explained that such police would have a better understanding of the environment, black spots and escape routes for criminals.
The Attorney General said that federal police, who might not be conversant with the terrains of their postings, would not be able to do much like people who were native to the environment, emphasizing that the indigenous police in the community will know nooks and crannies
‘The indigenous police will know in the community those who are bad boys and those who are not. Criminals will not be able to escape, and if they do, the indigenous police will know their hideouts and where they can be found’.
‘Now you come and bring a police officer from Kaduna to come and police Lagos Island, evil people will keep escaping. If the robbers escape the hand of the community policeman in that community, such indigenous police will know where to go and get them out. So, that is the advantage’, he stated
Penpushing also reports that Petro commenting on fear of abuse being expressed by some schools of thought that some politicians may hijack it, explained that the advantages of state police were higher than the disadvantages.
“I agree with people who are afraid that the state police can be hijacked by some politicians. But in everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages. When the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, I think we should follow the path. The only thing is to walk it around to ensure that those potential abuses are curtailed.”
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