Ambode tasks security agencies on intelligence gathering, information sharing

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has enjoined security agencies to rejig intelligence gathering and information sharing for effective protection of lives and property nationwide.

Speaking yesterday while opening this year’s third quarterly meeting of the Federal and State Security Administrators’ Forum in Ikeja, he called for synergy in analysing opportunities and threats to national security, urging the agencies to fine-tune the most effective methods to nip crimes in the bud.

Represented by his deputy, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, the governor said the call became imperative since perpetrators of criminal acts were not invisible and lived in communities.

He stated that security administrators have great roles to play in translating government policies to positively impact on the people and enhance economic viability of the country for prospective investors.

Ambode noted that security chiefs needed to raise the bar in making the society safer for the people and investors taking into cognisance the challenging global realities.

The governor pointed to the massive investment by his administration in the purchase of security equipment. He assured of the state’s continuous support for security agencies.

“We are aware of the changing dynamics of crime across our country, ranging from attacks by marauding herdsmen who have killed many people, the rash of kidnapping which is rapidly becoming the norm and the disturbing sabotage of government economic infrastructure which has resulted in huge financial haemorrhage that has impacted negatively on revenue generation with the attendant implications on our economy in the face of a global recession,” he said.

Chairman of the forum and Permanent Secretary of Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Ambassador Aminu Nebagu, said the negative consequences of pipeline vandalism on the economy were of massive proportion, urging dialogue.