Gboyega Akinsanmi
The Lagos State Government wednesday disclosed that it will charge all suspects arrested for alleged complicity in the murder of the winner of the 2007 Gulder Ultimate Search, Mr. Hector Jobateh, with murder and conspiracy.
Likewise, the state government disclosed that it had established a Joint Tactic Squad comprising all officers of all the security agencies to secure all Model Colleges and public schools, especially in the state’s outskirts, riverine communities and vulnerable areas at large.
The decision to establish the anti-kidnapping squad in all public schools in the state was made yesterday at the State Security Council meeting held at the State House, Alausa under the chairmanship of the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
The security council meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, and all commanders of security formations in the state.
Before the security meeting, the Lagos State Police Command had disclosed that the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) had arrested one Ismaila Adeyemi for alleged complicity in the murder of the 2007 winner of the Gulder Ultimate Search.
Hector was shot dead at his Oko-Oba residence, new Oko-Oba in Agege area of the state on September 4 shortly after he picked a sibling from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
After the meeting, Edgal noted that all those who were involved in his murder “have been arrested including the principal suspect who fired the shot that killed the victim.â€
The police commissioner disclosed that office of the Attorney-General would soon charge all the suspects with murder and conspiracy before the court of competent jurisdiction.
He, however, urged all Lagos residents “to continue to support the police with useful information and tips. “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to Lagos residents to be vigilant at this time. If you see something, you must say something.â€
“You must partner with the police and security agencies. Partnership is key because it is the only way information can flow and I want to assure residents that information given freely, the confidentiality of the informant will be taken with utmost seriousness.
“I have told my officers and men and I know my colleagues in the other agencies have done so. We cannot win the trust and confidence of the people if we do not dispense with unethical conduct such as divulging sources of information,†Edgal said.
On the coastal areas, Edgal said a lot of efforts had been put in place toward fortifying security in the riverine areas, including model colleges and public schools in such areas.
“Security around our coastal areas has also been fortified and the Council deliberated extensively about this particularly as it relates to security of all our Model Colleges and other schools that are situated in vulnerable areas.
“I have toured all the Model Colleges; all lapses observed have been noted by the Council and the Governor has given instruction that all those lapses be taken care of immediately. We now have Joint Tactic Guards of both the police and the military in all Model schools to heighten security.â€
Also at the meeting, the police commissioner said the state government had resolved to vigorously enforce Lagos State Road Traffic Law, 2012 prohibiting operation of commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada riders in certain routes across the State.
Edgal added that the enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcyclists would take place immediately after another round of public enlightenment campaign on the dangers and security implications of commercial motorcycle operations on restricted routes.
