The Lagos State Government has assured the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) of the Government’s collaboration to ensure adequate protection is given to the citizens and State assets.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat gave the assurance on Thursday on behalf of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu while receiving the Management of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) led by the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi on a courtesy visit to his Office at the Round House, Alausa, Ikeja, adding that the collaboration becomes imperative in the face of many challenges in the country.
According to him, the Corps should be rest assured of the government’s support for the interest of the State, adding that “There are so many reasons to partner with you in protecting the state as it is the asset base of the country, this is where everything is, 70 per cent commercial and air freight transactions are here, so we must protect the State and this translates to protecting the country”.
Hamzat stated that the collaboration would bring a new dimension to the existing security agencies in the State such as the Neighbourhood Watch and others, noting that, “There is a whole lot that we can do together. In Lagos, we support our security architecture a lot and as a sub-sovereign who is carrying this weight also, it is important that you reach out to us and bring your cases to us”.
He expressed his joy to hear that the Corps intended to secure all the schools in the country, especially in Lagos. This is a huge responsibility as Lagos alone has over a thousand primary schools, almost 690 junior and senior secondary schools, and of course, all the tertiary institution schools and that is a whole lot”, he stated.
The Deputy Governor, therefore charged the Corps to collaborate with the State Government to see how the security of the schools in the State can be mapped out, as it is important to secure the children and teachers in the schools.
Speaking, the Commandant-General suggested the inclusion of the Corps in the State Security Council, while the Deputy Governor noted that, there is no problem as the Corps is a security agency and does not see any reason to decline such a request.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, MNI, appreciated the State Governor for the support and assistance given to the State Command in its quest of safeguarding and protecting National Assets and citizens in the State.
The Commandant-General added that he was in the State to boost the morale and encourage his officers in the efficient discharge of their duties to the State and nation.
He said, “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps will continue to work closely with the State Government in ensuring the safety of citizens, particularly school children”.
Dr. Audi, while congratulating the governor for his re-election for the second term, said, “The re-election is a testament that you served the people very well and delivered dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos State”.
He, therefore, requested more logistics support for the Corps and a permanent site to build a befitting State Command Headquarters in Lagos State.
