The Lagos State Police command over the weekend mobilized 2,300 personnel drawn from the Police, all arms of the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps as well as Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps in a show of force exercise to reassure the residents of the state of adequate security before, during and after the February 2019 general elections.
Speaking during the exercise which lasted for some hours in the Lagos metropolis, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Mr. Edgal Imohimi recalled that during the last inter-agency security meeting which held at the State Police command headquarter, which he equally chaired, he did promised Lagosians that they would soon carryout a joint inter-agency friendly show of force across the state.
Edgal stated that the state had been sectioned into five units adding that the show of force was aimed at reassuring Lagosians of the ability of the security agencies in the state to provide adequate security before, during and after the 2019 election.
“It is our intention to make sure that Lagosians come out enmasse without threat, intimidation, harassment and undue influence resulting in vote buying. So, we want a peaceful, clear playing field for every Lagosian to come and exercise his franchise and in doing this; let me assure Lagosians that we shall exhibit a highest level of professionalism”, Edgal said.
He however, recalled that the new acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, in his maiden address stated that one of the cardinal points of his new administration would be to restore the highest level of professionalism in the force saying that they intend to start to exhibit that in Lagos before, during and after the general elections.
“So, Lagosians should not panic, this is a friendly show of force, it is to showcase our ability to protect the city not only on land but also on water and on air because as I speak to you, we also have six gunboats operating in convoy within the three notable water channels all across Lagos state. We are also in partnership with the Air Force to ensure that they do some air surveillance from time to time and of course, our RRS surveillance choppers will also be flying across the state to give us aerial pictures and surveillance pictures.
“And so, Lagosians, we are ready, we will continue to partner with you to ensure we have a very safe society and safe state”, he concluded.