Security operations in Lagos State received a boost following the donation of 1, 000 CC BMW motorbikes to the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday.

The donation made by the Lagos state Government through its Security Trust Fund is to help reduce crime in the state especially on major highways where patrol vehicles cannot get to as a result of traffic.

The Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Marvel Akpoyibo said: "Today we are witnessing an innovative way of fighting crime in Lagos. We have noticed that a lot of crime happened on the highways due to traffic congestion.

Hoodlums take the advantage of the traffic to rob people, we therefore cried to the government to provide us with motorbikes that will be on the road to monitor traffic."

Fola Arthur-Worey, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos state Security Trust Fund presented the motorbikes to the police. He said the government is committed to the protection of lives and property in the state.

"When the Commissioner of police submitted the proposal to the government, the board of the Fund saw it as a good thing and we decided to provide the fund for the purchase of the motorbikes so that we can further strengthen our activities in protecting the lives of Lagosians.

We intend to provide more bikes that will cover the whole of Lagos very soon." Mr. Arthur-Worey said.

Mr. Akpoyibo further said that the motorbikes are meant for chasing armed robbers and the public should report any unscrupulous acts by the riders.

"These riders have been trained to chase armed robbers and they will be on patrol 24 hours. They are not to stop motorists and ask them for particulars since this is not what they have been called to do.

Their duty is to monitor traffic and work with the control room to track down criminals and hoodlums, so that where the patrol vans cannot get to, the bikes will get there. If any of these officers are found wanting, the public should report to me." Mr. Akpoyibo said.

Also at the event, the police presented cheques to the families of three police officers who died in active service. The money was made available by the Lagos State government through LASACO Assurance Plc.

Mr. Akpoyibo said the money is to help the families fend for themselves and their children.

"This is not pension or gratuity that is being given to these families. It is just to cushion the effects of their suffering due to the demise of their bread winners."

Doris Omaineyi, one of the recipients of the cheques, said she is happy to receive the money.

"I have received N1.3 million. My husband Lawrence was a Deputy Superintendent of Police and he died last year. I have three children and I will use the money to pay their school fees and do other things." Mrs. Omaineyi said.


http://www.234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/5422668-146/story.csp

Good initiative. Hope they use it to combat crime.