President Muhammadu Buhari is expected in Lagos on Friday for his first official visit and he is expected to meet with the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
His visit comes at a time the state is grappling with insecurity and when the state governor has expressed concerns and acquired security gadgets and equipment to combat crime in the state.
As promised recently, the state government has procured three helicopters which the government says would also help to monitor traffic situations in the state.
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected, during the visit, to hand the three patrol helicopters, including 31 Armoured Personnel Carriers, two patrol boats, 100 motorcycles, 13 BMW power bikes, 60 Ford salon cars, 55 Ford Rangers, 40 Toyota salon cars, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs and police uniforms and kits to the Nigeria Police Force.
The President, according to government sources, would be in Lagos with the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, who would receive the equipment on behalf of the police.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said the ceremony would also mark the rebranding and repositioning of its Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
He said with the rebranding, the RRS would be further empowered to combat crime in the state and make the state habitable for residents.
According to Ayorinde, Buhari’s visit is part of the seriousness of the Lagos State Government to ensure the security of lives and property.
“With these security equipment, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has demonstrated his firm commitment and ability to safeguard the lives and property of every Lagosian.
“The government is convinced this gesture will further boost the morale and capacity of the Police, RRS and other security agencies in the state.
“It is an attestation to the efficacy of the state’s Security Trust Fund and we believe that this will send a clear signal that criminals and armed robbers no longer have hiding place in the state as government will spare no effort in ridding the state of every form of criminality.
“It is noteworthy that the Lagos State Government has stepped up its enforcement of traffic laws and declared zero tolerance on potholes on the roads, a decision that has brought to 282 the number of roads so far rehabilitated in the past five months while another set of 189 roads has been marked for repairs before the end of the year,” the Commissioner said.
