Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, on Monday, questioned the rationale behind the United States of America’s security alert on the likely attack on Sheraton Hotel in Lagos State.
He said the alert posed more questions rather than a reaction, because the way the alert issued was against the duty of nations to ensure mutual protection and assistance. He said that such warning should not have been made public.
While speaking after donating security vans and equipment to the police in the state, the governor said it was wrong for the US to have made the statement using social media instead of reaching the government, because information on social media could create serious panic among residents of the state and visitors.
“It raises more questions really rather than respond to it. We need to first ask, was that a United State of America government’s release?” Fashola said.
“If it is, it raises new dimension into the obligation of nations and government around the world to ensure peace and to cooperate with one another. I think the thing to say first is that there is a fundamental freedom that seems to have gone out of our daily discourse, which is the freedom for fear.
“And this was a freedom that was recognised in 1948 when the declaration of rights was been adopted as a global publication. As I said, until I am certain that piece (of information) came from a government agency of the USA, I can only speak on the bases of the gravity of such information assuming that it was true.”
The governor recalled how he got a security report on a proposed robbery attack on a bank, saying he did not make it public, but took it to the notice of security agencies in the state, who in turn took appropriate charge of the situation.
“The robbers came at night, and we apprehended them without the public idea except the bank manager who was aware on why we visited the bank and our mission. I think that is the way people must act,” he said
Fashola said the recent release of the information by the US violates the conventional global obligation of mutual release of information.
“I think there are channels of communication that information of that type can be shared without creating panic,” he continued.
“And I think citizens of all nationals can be protected without throwing a cat among pidgins. I will hope that we are more circumspect in the way we share information and that our intentions are noble. This is very important.
He held that at this time in the country, what is needed is not spreading panic-inspiring information, but information in the right hands in order to assist agencies and government to overcome the security challenges.
Also at the occasion, the state government, through its Security Trust Fund donated 100 patrol vans, 50 motorcycles, one towing van and five Black Maria to the state Command of the Nigeria Police.
He charged the police to be more effective and pro-active in the fight against crime, explaining that the equipment would be useless unless they are used by men who choose to act professionally and responsibly in accordance with the law.
He reminded the residents of the toll-free emergency lines 767 and 112 which are dedicated lines to be used when faced with emergencies or distress.
The equipment was received by the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, who promised to make effective use of all of them.
