The General Manager of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency, Prince Dr Ifalade Oyekan fisn has revealed that the Agency is set to expand it’s collaboration with the people and other security and safety Agencies in the State.
While speaking at the 3-day retreat of the Agency tagged: “A JOINT APPROACH TOWARDS ENHANCED SECURITY IN THE SOCIETY” Prince Oyekan said the Agency was created to foster collaboration and provide credible intelligence to nip crime and criminality in the bud, adding that the Agency has recorded giant strides in the area of grassroots engagement, agency to agency collaboration and intelligence sharing, noting also that this has led to the reduction in the crime rate.
“The responsibility of our Agency is to gather intelligence which we forward to relevant Agencies for necessary actions and when we make arrests, we hand over to the police for further investigation and prosecution. We are more pro-acitve in approach.” He also invited interested stakeholders to visit the Agency’s Headquarters to interact for understanding and collaboration. “Our agency is open to visitation to see how far we have gone under the leadership of our captain, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and learn where we are headed.
In the major paper delivered at the retreat by Commander 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Adegoke Moses Adetuyi noted that the various stakeholders and security Agencies have critical roles to play.
He said “The roles of different stakeholders in enhancing security cannot be overemphasized. Thus, government agencies provide the legal framework for a comprehensive security strategy, while security itself requires the efforts of every citizen. To this end, private organizations contribute through innovation, cyber security measures, and resource sharing. Also, community groups offer grassroots engagement, local intelligence, and emergency preparedness. On the other hand, individual citizens play a critical role through vigilance, responsible behaviour, and participation in community initiatives.
While Non-governmental organizations add value through advocacy, humanitarian assistance, and capacity building. By working together, these stakeholders can create a resilient and secure society capable of addressing the multifaceted security challenges of a cosmopolitan society like Lagos.”
These include cross-border incursions by armed bandits, smuggling and proliferation of contrabands in neighbouring countries which has spillover effects on Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo said all stakeholders must handle security with a high sense of responsibility.
Commodore Oladejo said, “Security is a business to be handled by the joint effort of all the law enforcement agencies and the people and should be treated as such.
While he also averred that all stakeholders must operate and collaborate in Trust, sincerity and responsibility.
He also enumerated some of the socio-economic issues that may cause insecurity to include, food insecurity, drug abuse and poverty among others.
CSP Babatunde Ogunniyi, DPO Imota Police Station commended Prince Ifalade for his innovative approaches to security and safety and hoped others in the security business in Nigeria will take a cue, adding that security is not the exclusive preserve of one agency or group but everybody’s business.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Security and Good Governance. Mr Kehinde Omotajo who also graced the occasion reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government to the safety and security of lives and properties in the State.
