The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, has said that the way out of the security challenges facing the country is for all hands to be on deck.
He said security was everybody’s business and should not be left to security agencies alone. He praised the security agencies for doing their best to confirm that they secure the country for the people to enjoy peace.
Alabi stated this at Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti. He spoke to newsmen on the sidelines of the dinner organized in his honor by the Ilawe-Ekiti community on Friday night.
The dinner was part of the entertainment lined up to mark the 10th coronation anniversary of the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi. The police boss, who hails from the town, said that every individual has a role to play in ensuring that the country was secure by way of giving information and assisting with intelligence sharing.
“If you abhor criminals and they are unleashing terror in your domain or territory, that means you are not being patriotic. “If you shared information in good time for the security agencies to nail the criminal activity in the bud, it would be beneficial to all of us,“ he said.
Speaking on the June 18 governorship elections in Ekiti State, Alabi enjoined all electoral stakeholders to embrace peace before, during, and after the conduct of the poll in the spirit of sportsmanship.
He persuaded politicians to pursue their political ambitions within the bounds of the law and desist from any actions that could breed disaffection, bad blood, and the possible breakdown of law and order.
The police commissioner said: “None of your ambitions should be greater than the peace and collective security of the people.”
He assured the people that the police and entire security community were poised to ensure adequate electoral security, the credibility of the electoral process, and impartiality.
“My advice to Ekiti people as a critical stakeholder, as you know I am from here, is for them to play according to the rules, not to get themselves involved in any violent activities because elections will come and go and rules and regulations are guiding the process.
“They should abide by the rules and shun any act of brigandage or violence to ensure free and fair elections,” he said.
The Lagos police boss described the 10-year-rule of the traditional ruler as a remarkable period, noting that he had galvanized all stakeholders in the town to ensure that they work for its uplifting and development.
“The Kabiyesi has made so many developmental strides in the last 10 years, including absolute peace where there has not been any issue of violence in the town.
“He has attracted investors to the town, part of it is the banana factory that some foreign investors had agreed to establish here,” he said.
Ada Peter
