The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has declared that the era of armed robbery and bank heists in Lagos State is a thing of the past.
Speaking at the Lagos State Security Trust Fund’s 18th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security held on Thursday, Egbetokun highlighted the state’s remarkable progress in combating violent crime.
He revealed that only one bank robbery has succeeded in Lagos since 2007, and that occurred a decade ago in 2014.
“There was a time armed robbery and bank robbery were common in Lagos, but I can recall that since 2007, only one bank robbery succeeded, and that was in 2014. The days of armed robbery and bank robbery are gone,” Egbetokun stated.
Egbetokun attributed this success to the strong partnership between the state government and the police.
He emphasized the importance of continued support, given Lagos State’s role as Nigeria’s economic hub and its exposure to the challenges of internal migration.
“Without the assistance from the government, we would have been overwhelmed by insecurity in Lagos,” he said, noting that thousands of people migrate to Lagos daily, creating unique security challenges.
At the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents.
To bolster security operations, the governor donated over 250 brand-new patrol vehicles, communication equipment, hardware, and protective gear to the police.
Sanwo-Olu also announced plans to integrate advanced technology, including the deployment of drone technology for monitoring waterways, crowded areas, and traffic hotspots.
“Lagos is now properly mapped, and drone technology will be deployed to enhance area monitoring, crowd management, and traffic assessment,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “This ensures we can monitor situations from our offices and respond promptly.”
The meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Lagos State government and security agencies, which have been instrumental in maintaining law and order in the bustling metropolis.
With ongoing investment in technology and resources, Lagos is setting a precedent for security management in Nigeria.