•banks refuse to support security donation in 2021, Balogun say
Donor fatigue might have hit the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) the Fund’s Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdurrazaq Balogun has said.
This formed part of the major drawbacks observed in the year 2021, the Fund’s boss said.
Balogun who gave the hint while welcoming the state Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hazmat, Service chiefs, and the Police Commissioner Mr Hakeem Odumosu among a galaxy of eminent personalities, traditional rulers, captain of industries and members of the executive council at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Lagos.
Balogun said only three banks among which were Zenith Bank, FCMB and Wema Bank Plc made donation to the Fund in 2021, while others stayed away.He said the fund received N1.4 billion in the outgoing year, adding that much of the fund were payment of pledges made in previous years.
He observed that though the amount looked huge, it becomes insignificant if taking in tandem the gaping needs to keep the state safe and secured for people and businesses to thrive.According to him, to fully kit one policeman, will cost N3 million, hence to kit the 33,000 police officers I the satte will cost about N99 billion.
“It is clear that we are just scratching the surface but like it is saidhow do you eat an elephant? – one bite at a time. Understanding the problem is key to proffering a solution. The Fund has about 15 years of experience and knowledge and can provide necessary guidance to reach the promised land,” Balogun said.
The LSSTF chief said though the law establishing the Fund made provision for the Fund to collect levies from all organisations operating in the state, the Fund in its 15 years of existence have not exploited that opportunity.
He said under the year in review, the Fund presented 183 vehicles fully fitted with communications and security accessories, 200 motorbikes, right Armoured Personnel Carriers, two water cannons, 167 push to talk cellular communication devices and 1000 level IV bulletproof vest.
Other materials given out by the Fund in the year includes 1000 ballistic helmets, 15,000 teargas canisters with dispensers, uniforms, 1000 ballistic fragmentation vests among others.
This according to him is in addition to quarterly routine services of 332 security vehicles, 42 Marine police boat engines purchase of 522 tyres of various sizes, 180 batteries of various specifications, daily fueling of the RRS vehicles and the weekly and monthly g fueling support for the Marine police, the Navy and the Air Force.
LSSTF Chairman Mr Kehinde Duroinmi-Etti told the town hall that the Fund has continued to play pivotal role in the enhancement of the security architecture of the state through successive administration because of shared understanding of the relationship between development and security.
Duroinmi-Etti applauded the commitment of the state governor for his steadfast support, as the Fund’s chief fund raiser.
He said: “There is a strong need for you to play your part by contributing to the Lagos $4*43 security Trust Fund to ensure that out security agencies are fully equipped to respond to any security breach.”
The Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu said though the year presented a very huge security challenge especially since the October 20 EndSARS protests, there was no attack on any banks in the state within the year under review.
He said the police armed by the LSSTF have continued to keep the heat on miscreants and criminals in the state.He said the state witnessed 22 armed robbery incidents while 206 armed robbery attempts were foiled and 1,124 armed robbery suspects were arrested and 1034 were charged to court.
He said four cases of kidnapping were recorded in the year under review and we’re quickly nipped in the bud.
He said 249 rape/defilement cases were recorded, 250 rape/defilement suspects arrested, while a total of 4406 vehicles were contravened for plying Best lanes, while 4029 social miscreants wee arrested and charged to court.
Also within the year, 8483 motorcycle operators were arrested for flouting the restriction order, while 651 vehicles were impounded for driving against traffic within the year.