The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said it had established Joint Tactic Squad comprising different security agencies to heighten safety of schools in the outskirts, riverine and other vulnerable areas.
Mr Imohimi Edgal, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos said this while briefing newsmen after the state’s monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.
”The Council deliberated extensively about security of all our Model Colleges and other schools that are situated in vulnerable areas.
“I have taken a tour of all the Model Colleges; all lapses observed have been noted by the Council and the governor has given instruction that all those lapses be taken care of immediately.
” We now have Joint Tactic Guards of both the police and the military in all Model schools to heighten security, ” he said.
The CP said the Council also resolved to increase police presence across the state, especially now that the ‘Ember’ months had set in.
”We have noticed heightened security across the state; there is high visibility of police and other security presence across the state.
”We can recall that most of the bridges are being cleared. This effort is geared towards displacing hoodlums who might want to use such areas as hideouts.
”The Council has approved the resuscitation of the Joint Inter-Agency Raids Committee that will take care of raids on areas that are designated as black spots where criminals hibernate, such as uncompleted buildings, markets, among others.
”It also approved partnership with the informal policing sector in all neighborhood across the state to stop the trend of residential robberies, ” he said.
Edgal said that the state government also resolved to vigorously enforce the state traffic law prohibiting operation of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders in certain routes across the state.
Edgal said that the enforcement would take place immediately after another round of public enlightenment on the dangers and security implications of plying Okada on restricted routes.
Also, the CP said all those involved in the murder of the winner of 2007 Gulder Ultimate Search, Hector Jobateh, had been arrested including the principal suspect who fired the shot that killed the victim, saying that all the suspects would soon be charged to court.
He, however, urged members of the public to continue to support the police with useful information and tips.
” Partnership is key because it is the only way information can flow and I want to assure residents that for any information given freely, the confidentiality of the informant will be taken with utmost seriousness, ” Edgal said.
Also speaking, Mr Tunji Bello, Secretary to the State Government, said the Council deliberated on the recent restriction order on inter-state buses along Ikorodu Road, saying that all the identified setbacks have been considered and were being addressed.