Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has announced his administration’s preparedness for the establishment of state police, expressing his advocacy for its creation.
He stated that Lagos State is ready to deploy at least 10,000 personnel immediately once the Federal Government and the National Assembly finalize constitutional provisions for state police.
During a media chat, Governor Sanwo-Olu mentioned that the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), a uniformed security agency established in 2016, would contribute to the formation of the state police.
The LNSC, currently comprising about 6,000 personnel, is set to recruit an additional 4,000 members, according to the governor.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of state police, expressing eagerness for its creation and stating that the existing Neighborhood Watch is functional and knowledgeable about the community’s intricacies.
He highlighted the potential of the neighbourhood watch personnel, especially if empowered to carry assault rifles, in enhancing security efforts.
The governor stated that the personnel could provide valuable intelligence at state security meetings and contribute significantly to addressing security challenges.
The issue of state police has been a subject of controversy, and a recent Constitution Amendment Bill proposing its introduction has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.
