By Felix Kuyinu
Lagos State Attorney General, Lawal Pedro, has said that the state is fully set in embarking on the recommended state police in combating crimes in area.
Pedro, SAN, said that the state is awash of personels and infrastructure to ensure the new measure is adequately put in place.
The Attorney noted this in a session with journalists on Saturday at the 10th Ramadan Lecture organised by Anwar-ul Islam Old Students Association held in Lagos, titled, “Economic insecurity in Nigeria: Islamic Solutions.”
Pedro recalled back to 2001, stating that he had been an advocator for state police in ensuring the metropolis is improved in security matters.
“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,” he said.
“We are talking about a police system that is indigenous to the people themselves.
“Lagos is ready 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.
“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. 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 bring a police officer from Kaduna to come and police Lagos Island. Evil people will keep escaping”.
When asked about what could pose as a challenge in reaching the target, Pedro said that some politicians who do not mean well for the society could be willing to hijack the process, however, he added that to curtail such occurrence, the federal government must ensure that legislation on state police curtails such abuses.
Lagos and other 15 states have submitted reports expressing their support for establishing state police to the National Economic Council.
The reports were among the documentation received at the 140th NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja last Thursday.
