SECURITY OPERATIVES CANNOT DO IT ALONE

Should the improvement of security in our community be solely the responsibility of security operatives? The answer is unapologetically NO!, while the menace of traffic/street robbery heightens across the State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu rescued a motorist from a gang of suspected criminals, who specialized in harassing motorists and road users in traffic.

Mr. Governor, while he pledged his determination to stabilize the security situation in Lagos State, as his own commitment towards lasting national security, reiterated a note of warning to all criminals who are operating in Lagos State or planning to operate here; all armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, bandits, and other criminals, that no stone would be left unturned in making this State inhospitable for them.

However as citizens we all have a role to play in combatting crime and improving security in our community for the greater good of all. We should collaborate with the law enforcement operatives by developing connections within the community such that suspicious activities or persons are reported timely to security operatives as they are better equipped to solve public security problems and bring peace to our communities.

Crimes are perpetuated within communities and the criminals reside in communities, a Yoruba adage goes, “when a child who doesn’t offer dry-cleaning services brings clothes home he/she should be asked where he got the clothes from”. This is the role of members of the community, to resolve to uphold moral and socio-cultural values which would protect the sanctity of human life, abhor immoral and irresponsible behaviour and live up to our responsibility of raising good members of the society.

While the war against criminality in Lagos is yet to be won, the provision of operational capacity for the security agencies improves their ability to adequately discharge their duties and every member of the society has a level of responsibility, to collaborate with government and security agencies to achieve a secure environment in our collective interest.

With determination, we can collectively win the fight against insecurity, and create an atmosphere where we all can unleash our creative potentials to grow our economy for the prosperity of all.