• Others harp on ways to credible elections
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has said that the government has tackled the escalating crime rate in the state.
Hamzat, who spoke at the 31st Edition of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) Annual Lecture and Awards, 2022, held at Ikeja, Lagos State, said that statistics as of March 2022, revealed that public concern about crime stood at 66.04 per cent, adding the government had been addressing them.
According to him , “as Nigerians prepare for political activities to kick start campaigns for various electoral offices in the 2023 General Elections, that are being contested by multiple political parties, there is a tendency for pocket of violence and intolerance to erupt. However, as stakeholders in the political growth and economic prosperity of Nigeria, we have to collectively ensure that the process is not hijacked by unscrupulous elements. Statistics as of March 2022 reveal that public concern about crime stood at 66.04 Percent.”
Revealing measures taken by the government to check escalating crimes, Hamzat, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr. Kayode Oyekanmi, added: “The general concern revolves around mugging, carjacking, one-chance and more recently abductions or kidnapping for ransom. I am happy to note that our security architecture is structured to provide adequate and dynamic responses to all security threats, particularly in Lagos.”
Hamzat in a speech delivered by Oyekanmi stated that the provision of security was a function of the government that was fundamentally guaranteed by the Constitution, adding, “It also provides for citizens, individuals or corporate, to support security agencies with relevant and timely information to curb illegal or criminal activities from disrupting public serenity that could mar socioeconomic activities for the benefit of the general populace.”
Hamzat while applauding CRAN for the theme of the day, Insecurity: Tackling The Dark Cloud Over Nigeria’s Prosperity Ahead Of The 2023 General Elections, said that progress and growth can only be guaranteed in a society governed by the rule of law, a society where the fundamental rights of individuals to hold an opinion and associate with people of shared values are not frowned upon.
However,The President of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, CRAN, Olalekan Olabulo ,expressed concerns over the spate of insecurity ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He said the only thing that can stop the election is insecurity.
According to him, “Our economic challenge will only determine the choice of the candidates and parties to be voted for but insecurity can stop the election from taking place”.
He said the effect of the 2020 #EndSARS protest which include increasing brazen attacks on law enforcement agents, attack on correctional facilities and destruction of public properties are threats to the forthcoming elections.
The CRAN President, however, commended the security agencies for their efforts in securing the lives and properties of Nigerians despite the challenges.
Olabulo also urged the security agencies to work harmoniously with private security practitioners for a better result.
On his own, Chairman of the occasion, CEO Cornfied Group of Companies, Dr. Babatope Agbeyo, posited that deployment of technology and positive role of the youth, wouls make the problem of ballot box snatching during the polls very difficult.
His words: “The deployment of technology would make the problem of ballot box snatching during the polls very difficult. The 2023 elections will see a surge in many enlightened Nigerian youths participating fully in the electoral process.”
He noted that what the youths want is the unity of Nigeria and development, adding that election is a means to growth and unity.
Dr Agbeyo, however, expressed worries that problems might arise if an elected person fails to fulfil his electoral promises.
He also tasked media practitioners not to announce unverified election results before the Independent National Electoral Commission, adding that they should not aid those who want to disrupt the polls.
One of the panelists in the event, Dr. Bone Efoziem, who is Chairman- CEO of Strict Guard Security Company, advised that the Federal Government should stop overstretching the security agencies by giving them unnecessary tasks and making them to deviate from their rules of engagement.
Dr. Efoziem,said, ” the military is to protect the territorial integrity of a country and should not be seen doing the work of the police . Tell me why a soldier should be involved in settling land dispute or that of husband and wife. This type of conduct is demeaning. The military should not be seen doing the work of the police. The Department of State Service (DSS), should gather intelligence and pass it over to the appropriate agency that will carry out the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. A soldier must not been seen at motor parks extorting money from drivers”.
He said the that our security agencies were always reactive to issues rather than being proactive because there,” is no synergy among them and they are being dragged to issues that do not concern them . Let the police face the job of internal security , the military face their job , the immigration service do theirs and there will be effectiveness in the war against crime”.
Former President of CRAN, Mr. Dipo Kehinde, warned that security agents and Journalists, should be conscious of volitile areas during electoral duties, ” I want to emphasize that no election is worth dying for . I want to tell my constituency, Journalists that no story is worth dying for , so they should synergies with the police who will give them cover during election. The members of the Public should resist being used for electoral offences and should cooperate with security agencies so as to have credible 2023 elections”.
