The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), asserts that the state is fully prepared for the establishment of state police and is simply awaiting the signal to proceed with its creation.
Pedro conveyed this message during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sidelines of the 10th Ramadan Lecture hosted by the Anwar-ul Islam Old Students Association (ACAOSA) in Lagos on Saturday.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria highlighted his longstanding advocacy for state police dating back to 2001, aiming to enhance state security.
“As far back as 2001, I have always maintained that the security of this country will be addressed by having state police or community police.
“We are talking about police system that is indigenous to the people themselves.
“Lagos is over ready for the state police. I can assure you that because we have our own Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps already in place and fully kitted and ready with even body cameras.
“I think we are ready to go in Lagos. If any state is ready, I can confirm to you today from what Mr Governor – Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu – has done, Lagos State is ready.
“Just give the whistle and you see our police officers on the road,” Pedro said.
Highlighting the necessity of local police forces in every state, the legal expert emphasized that such police units would possess a deeper understanding of the local environment, crime-prone areas, and routes used by criminals to evade capture.
He pointed out that federal police officers, unfamiliar with the terrain they are deployed to, may not be as effective as individuals native to the area.
“The indigenous police will know in the community those who are bad boys and those who are not.
“Criminals will not be able to escape, and if they do, the indigenous police will know their hideouts and where they can be found.
“Now you come and bring a police officer from Kaduna to come and police Lagos Island, evil people will keep escaping.
” If the robbers escape the hand of the community policeman in that community, such indigenous police will know where to go and get them out. So, that is the advantage.”
Commenting on fear of abuse being expressed by some schools of thought, Pedro said that the advantages in state police were higher that the disadvantages.
“I agree with people who are afraid that the state police can be hijacked by some politicians. But in everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages.
“When the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, I think we should follow the path.
” The only thing is to walk it around to ensure that those potential abuses are curtailed.”
NAN reports that the 10th Annual ACAOSA Ramadan Lecture is entitled, “Economic insecurity in Nigeria -Islamic Solutions”.
It drew together many old students of Anwar-ul Islam College Agege, formerly known as Ahmadiyya College Agege.