Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said that the fight against crime and all forms of criminality would be better enhanced if efforts are geared towards embracing community policing to complement the police and other law enforcement agencies.
Ambode, who stated this at the swearing-in ceremony of the Chairman and members of the Board of the State’s, said community policing was needed to assist law enforcement agencies who, according to him, are already over stretched judging by the enormous task of securing the country.
“You will agree with me that the Police and indeed all other security forces within the State and even the country at large are quite stretched, and some form of “community” or “local policing” is required to boost and support the great job the Nigeria Police is presently doing.
“The creation of this Agency marks another step towards ensuring the protection of lives and properties at the grass root level. Corp members recruited by the Agency are meant to interact with the people at the communities. It is expected that with the visible presence of the Corp members within a particular community, the likelihood of crime will be drastically reduced,” Ambode said.
He added that the Agency, which replaced the Neighbourhood Watch, has the responsibility of assisting the Police, and its mode of operation will essentially be in intelligence gathering, protection of lives and properties, maintaining law and Order amongst others.
The Governor also said the Agency has been empowered pursuant to its enabling law, to recruit eligible persons as Corp members in all Local Government Areas of the State.
He charged members of the newly inaugurated board to consider their appointments as call to duty, adding that the task making Lagos great and taking it to greater heights was that of all.
Members of the Board are Israel Ajao (Chairman), Tajudeen Quadri, Yinka Egbeyemi, Razaq Balogun, Tunde Aboyade, Ishola Laguda, Kofoworola Adegboye, Dengel Anifowoshe, Ronke Ogabi, Suleiman Lewi, O. Eziana and Adegboyega Bajulaiye who will serve as Executive Secretary
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