The Lagos State Governmenton Fridayreassured residents of its ability to combat all forms of crime within the state just as it reaffirmed its commitment to prompt response to all crime incidents reported by residents to the various security agencies.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communication, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, made this known at the monthly Interactive session themed ‘Securing our Communities’ organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs for Community Development Committees (CDCs), Neighbourhood Watch, Community Development Associations with other relevant stakeholders and held at Ikorodu Division of the state.

Bamigbetan urged residents not to hide any vital information on crimes from security agencies saying that “information gathering is an integral part of securing the environment as it is fuel on which both offensive and defensive operations are based.

“If proactive information intelligence is not provided to security agencies about a threat, the threat will eventually manifest,” he said.

He emphasised that the State Government has marshalled enough equipment and resources, human and material, to wipe out criminality in the entire state and is exploring ways to foster a structured relationship with all informal Security Agencies with a vision to holistically and collectively combat crime in the state.

The Special Adviser assured Ikorodu residents that the State Government has zero tolerance for crime, be it kidnapping, stealing, and other criminal acts, urging them to remain calm as the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) was on top of the security challenges being faced presently.

“Lagos State Government has established a RRS Marine Police and is now working with the Naval authority to ensure that the creeks are taken care of; monitoring and surveillance of these areas has increased and Lagos State is contributing its own quota to ensure that both the Marine police and Naval Authority are able to respond to challenges facing our creeks,” he said.

Earlier, the Sole Administrator, Ikorodu Local Government, Mr. Gbolahan Ogunleye, earlier in his address assured all the security agencies in Ikorodu Division of his administration’s support in ensuring that operations are carried out judiciously adding that “security is everybody’s business and we all need to work hard to ensure a crime free society”.

In his own contribution, representative of the State Security Service, Ikorodu Division, Mr. Funsho Adeleke, implored residents not to leave security issues to Government alone because people in the neighbourhood have vital information about those who reside in their various localities.

Adeleke therefore urged all residents in Ikorodu to volunteer vital and useful information that will be helpful to the office of the State Security Services for effective follow up in ensuring that every area of the State is safe and secured.

•Photo showsKehinde Bamigbetan.