The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, on Monday urged all security agencies in the state to work in harmony in securing the lives and property of people.
Fashola said this while declaring open the stakeholders’ forum on Critical Infrastructures, organised by the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The governor, represented by the Senior Special Adviser on Security, Major. Babtunde Panox (rtd), said that irrespective of the law establishing each security agency, they all should synergise in securing the state.
He said: “In Lagos State, we want peace and security.
“I want all security agencies to work together irrespective of what the constitution says about the operations of such agency.
“We don’t have life duplicate.
“The police are constitutionally empowered to maintain law and order, yet they cannot do all the jobs alone, but someone must lead the operation.
“We don’t want segregated security operation in Lagos.
“Other members of the public, including market people, transporters and farmers should be proactive to security matter by reporting any suspected criminals in their areas.”
Clement Adesuyi, Commandant, NSCDC, Lagos State Command, said that the forum was organised due to recent security challenges across the nation, stressing the need for all security agencies to work together.
Adesuyi noted that security challenges had been a threat to human and infrastructures such as power installations, telecommunication, oil pipelines, media amongst others.
He said: “Critical Infrastructures are considered to be those private and public assets, systems networks, both physical and virtual, so vital that if damaged or destroyed as a result of any natural disasters, accident, vandalism, terrorism or any other form of sabotage, will cause a major setback to the nation’s economy.”
Abel Bappa, Head, Critical Infrastructures Unit, NSCDC, who expressed worries over the security challenges in the country, noted that no responsible government will allow the current security trend to continue unchecked.
Bappa said: “The forum will afford us an opportunity to evolve ways of better managing safety and security of these critical assets.
“Stakeholders will share experiences, challenges and opinions on this matter.”
Brigadier General Adeniyi Oyebade, Commandant, 9th Brigade, Ikeja, said that the Nigerian Army was ready to work with all security agencies
Umar Manko, Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of police, Operations, said that the command would be willing to work with the NSCDC to protect lives and property in Lagos.
Manko described the forum as timely and important, urging members of the public to be part of the team to police the infrastructures.
Jolayemi Olaofe, a security consultant, said that security agencies should remove all barriers to work together for the good of all.