- Imohimi Edgal pays his first official visit to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode after becoming police commissioner
- Ambode tasks Edgal to ensure the security of lives and properties in Lagos state as government will always support fight against insecurity
- Fatai Owoseni commends Ambode for constantly supporting the police while Edgal says he would hit the ground running
The new commissioner of police in Lagos, Mr Imohimi Edgal, has received strong instructions from Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on how to tackle insecurity in the state.
Edgal and his immediate predecessor, Fatai Owoseni, paid an official visit to the governor at the Lagos House on Tuesday, September 5.
Ambode asked Edgal to deliver on the enormous task before him in effectively and efficiently policing the state, saying that the security of lives and property remain paramount.
Ambode noted that the state had enormous challenges, but that it was gratifying that Edgal was very familiar with the security architecture of Lagos.
He commended Owoseni for contributing immensely to the security of the state during his tenure.
The governor explained further: “We are comfortable that he (Edgal) does not have to start trying to learn the ropes because he is very familiar with the security architecture of the state and the enormity of the assignment that has been given to him.
“On our part, we will ensure that we support him as well as men and officers of the state command.
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“What is most important to us is that we must keep the city safe. Lagos must be safer, Lagos must be cleaner and it is based on that we can invite investors to come in.
“That is when we can project our 24/7 economy and so we cannot afford not to have a vibrant police force.
“More importantly is the fact that we in government have decided that without a safe city, we cannot have a prosperous state and the prosperity and the peace that Lagos is enjoying now is actually founded on that fabric of the safety of lives and property.
“We will give the new CP all the support and I want to also say that we will support community policing. You must have seen that in our action which was why we established the Neighborhood Safety Corps and we want to thank the Nigerian police for supporting that.
“The establishment of the corps is part of the fabric of the community policing that the Nigerian Police Force is now projecting and we will support it with materials, resources and also ensure that every community is properly policed and in that, we will have the peace that everybody need to go about their activities without let or hindrance.
“We are very emphatic on law and order and we will ensure that our judicial system works in convergence with the Nigerian Police so that we can keep the city safe and more prosperous.”
Ambode commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris for the improvement in security that the country had witnessed in recent time.
Owoseni had earlier thanked Ambode for the support the police command has continued to enjoy.
Edgal promised the governor that he would hit the ground running and employ various means including community policing to ensure that Lagos emerges as the safest city to live and do business in Africa.
“I want to assure Governor Ambode that under my watch, you will have no cause for complaints or concerns. We will serve the people of Lagos with all our hearts and might.
“Let me use this opportunity also to warn criminals and hoodlums that it will not be business as usual.
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“I also want to warn officers and men of the command that issues of human rights abuses, corruption, indiscipline generally will no longer be a slap on the wrists.
“The full weight of police regulations and the law will be meted out to anybody found wanting under my watch,” Edgal said.
NAIJ.com earilier reported that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode received Imohimi Edgal and Fatai Owoseni at Lagos House, Ikeja.
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