How ready is Lagos State Government for State Policing with LNSC

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The clamour for state policing has reached its highest crescendo recently among major stakeholders, security experts, and the rest. This is because it’s finally dawned that effective policing, with each state having its own police, could bring significant benefits and enhance security.

New Nation reports that while some states will need to start from scratch if this is finally approved, Lagos State, being the Centre of Excellence, is miles ahead of the rest in having the best state policing system through the already-established Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps(LNSC).

Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Ikorodu office

LNSC, a uniformed security agency, was established by a law of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2016 to assist the Police and other security agencies in maintaining law and order. They operate in all 57 LGAs/LCDAs in Lagos. One of the outfit’s functions includes gathering information about crimes, crimes in progress, suspicious activities, and crime suspects, among other things.

State Policing: How Well Have They Fared In Their Primary Function?

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has shown unwavering commitment to the THEMES Plus agenda through his proactive measures and vision for a greater Lagos. Despite the unfortunate kidnappings of Fouani MD and three others, security has been a significant achievement of his administration. The peace in Lagos is largely attributed to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and the community policing of the LNSC, whose officers are stationed in communities for information gathering, among other duties. They are easily accessible to residents and discharge their duties with the utmost professionalism expected of such an outfit in Lagos.

Shabby Offices And Other Limitations:

Have you visited the agencies’ offices across the five divisions in the state? They are below standard and unbefitting of what an agency of the Centre of Excellence should be. A visit to the Ojodu office of the Neighbourhood Corps, its Alimosho Office, and others reflects an unconducive environment for an agency that is on the brink of becoming the state police in Lagos. The motorbikes and bicycles donated to the offices lay in waste as officers have expended their personal money repairing most of them.

Damages vehicles at Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Ikorodu office. Photo Credit: Topnaija.ng

The vehicles are the proverbial “abiku.” In some cases, most of the CS have had to solicit community support to bring the vehicles to life.

The General Manager Of LNSC, Prince Ifalade Oyekan, through his Mrs Runsewe Oloruntoba, LNSA Public Affairs Officer, said that 18 offices have been renovated while three new offices were constructed at Orile Agege LCDA, Ijede LCDA and Imota LCDA.

However, a visit to some of the renovated offices raises more questions than answers. When quizzed further on the amount spent of renovating each office, the LNSC boss, through the Public Affairs Officer, failed to respond, instead pointing In the direction of the Lagos State Ministry Of Finance.

Damages vehicles at Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Ikorodu office. Photo credit: Topnaija.ng

As an agency funded by public funds, the secrecy surrounding the amount spent on each office does not portray the agency in the right light, especially as the agency is well on course to transition into state police.

The governor might as well set up a fact finding team to visit the said renovated offices to see what an eyesore some of them are, especially with the amount budgeted and allegedly spent on their renovation in all a move to make sure the LNSC is under the right leadership for its transition to state police when the time comes.