Lagos moves to secure schools in riverine, vulnerable areas

Plans arrest of okada riders on restricted routes

To prevent a reoccurrence of the kidnap of students and pupils, the Lagos State Government says it has set up a joint tactic squad to heighten security within and around model colleges and all schools in the riverine and other vulnerable areas of the state.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, disclosed this yesterday after the monthly security council meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and attended by commanders of security formations operating in the state.

He said the state government had also resolved to vigorously enforce the state traffic law prohibiting operation of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, in certain routes across the state.

Edgal said the enforcement of the ban on okada riders would take place immediately after another round of public enlightenment campaign on the dangers and security implications of riding okada on restricted routes.

He said: “I have taken a tour of all the model colleges; all lapses observed have been noted by the Council and the governor has given instruction that all those lapses be taken care of immediately. We now have joint tactic guards of both the police and the military in all model schools to heighten security.”

The CP, who stated that the Council also deliberated and reviewed the security situation in the state, especially now that the Ember months had set in, and resolved to increase police presence across the state, said the Council had approved the resuscitation of the joint inter-agency raid committee that would take care of raid on areas that are designated as black-spots where criminals hibernate, such as uncompleted buildings, markets, among others.

Besides, the commissioner of police disclosed that all those involved in the heinous murder of the winner of 2007 Gulder Ultimate Search, Hector Jobateh, had been arrested, including the principal suspect who fired the shot that killed the victim, saying that all the suspects would soon be charged to court.

He, however, urged members of the public to continue to support the police with useful information and tips. Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, who also spoke after the meeting, said the Council had deliberated on the recent restriction order on inter-state buses along Ikorodu Road and that all the identified setbacks had been considered and were being addressed.