Ambode says enemies responsible for insecurity in Lagos

Lagos Committed To One Nigeria, Says Gov, Akiolu
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the insecurity challenges in the state are a product of enemies within.

Speaking yesterday when members of the state Council of Obas’ and Traditional Rulers paid him a ‘thank you visit,’ Ambode said restated his commitment to the safety and security of lives and properties.

He disclosed that efforts are ongoing to nip in the bud all insecurity issues, which could be discussed openly.

The governor charged the monarchs to remain committed and work with his government to ensure that issues of insecurity are tackle effectively, especially as kidnappings occur with the connivance of enemies within the communities.

“I feel very bad each time I hear about this, but again, life and safety first, thereafter, we will deal with other things. I want to let you know truly that sometimes, some of these kidnapping issues are actually from enemies within. I just pray that when the children come back, we will be able to talk about those things. I just ask people to give us some time, as we gather intelligence.”

“I want to thank you for your support, in terms of security. You are part of the security architecture of Lagos State, because without you, we will not get the information we are using to reach out to the Police.

“ I also want to thank you for supporting our Neighborhood Safety Corps (NSC) initiative, which is about neighborhood safety, and we have seen the hands of all our monarchs in the operation of the corps.

We believe strongly that we need to put more efforts in the NSC to make sure that this issue of kidnapping and other criminal activities become a thing of the past within the shortest possible time.”

Ambode stressed that the state believes in the oneness of Nigeria; hence it is accommodating and ready to welcome anyone to the state, saying the state would work with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to make Nigeria home for all.

“I also want to join the Chairman of the Council to reiterate our support for the Federal Government to keep the unity of Nigeria and uphold the tenets of the constitution. We are very happy that all our traditional rulers in Lagos believe in oneness of Nigeria.

“We are happy also that we are very accommodating and allow people from other tribes to live with us and we are ready to do everything to support the Acting President and the Federal Government in every effort to ensure that Lagos remains peaceful and then Nigeria remains peaceful,” he added.

Ambode thanked the monarchs for the support they have continued to give him and his administration and charged them to ensure that the forthcoming local government election is a success and rancour-free.

Earlier, the Obas of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, said they had come to thank the governor for helping to transform the state.

Akiolu said Lagos is home to all, as it welcomes everybody, and demanded that the special status request of Lagos be granted.