The Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) has called for synergy and collaboration among law enforcement agencies in the state to tackle security challenges and ensure the safety of citizens.
The head of LETI, Mr. Adegboyega Bajulaiye, made the call at the conclusion of a three-day retreat organised by LETI in Epe Local Government Area, Lagos State, on Saturday.
The theme of the retreat was: “Law Enforcement Synergy through Professionalism and Efficiency: COVID-19 Era and Beyond.”
Bajulaiye said the retreat was aimed at deliberating with stakeholders on ways to reposition the institute for better operations, improve law enforcement operations and increase public awareness of the activities of LETI.
He emphasised the need for synergy among all law enforcement agencies in the state to ensure the security of lives and property in line with the THEMES agenda of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
THEMES is an acronym for the Lagos State administration’s six strategic development agenda namely: Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism as well as Security and Governance.
“One of the objectives of the retreat is to brainstorm on ways to improve the training curriculum and advanced tools that will aid law enforcement officers to effectively discharge their duties.
“There is also the need to ensure team building and synergy in such a way that law enforcement agencies can complement one another to enable them to achieve better results,” he said.
Bajulaiye, who was recently appointed head of LETI, commended the previous administration for the innovative strategies to improve the operations of law enforcement officers in the state.
“My predecessors have done well in terms of introducing some innovative technologies like the body-worn camera and body shield.
“There is the need to also move further in terms of more quality training, advanced intelligence-gathering techniques, and tools.
“I believe when the officers are well equipped with the right tools, they will be emboldened to face any security threat and checkmate the activities of hoodlums and miscreants,” he said.
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, commended the institute for organising the retreat, which he said, was timely and proactive in tackling security matters in the state.
Onigbanjo, who was represented by Mr. Saheed Quadri, Director of Advisory Services, Lagos Ministry of Justice, said the Sanwo-Olu led administration had security and good governance as one of the top priority areas.
“Security and good governance is one of the six pillars of Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES agenda and the essence of this retreat is to look for ways we can improve the security situation in Lagos state.
“LETI was established to deliver quality training to law enforcement officers in Lagos, to enable them to perform optimally in line with global best practices, so this retreat is timely.
“When there is an assurance of security of lives and property, investors will come in and when there are investors, the economy will grow,” said Onigbanjo.
Also speaking, the General Manager of LNSA, Mr. Ifalade Oyekan, stressed the importance of collaboration to foster an inter-agency relationship to achieve the best results.
Oyekan commended the governor for making security paramount, which he said, was evident in the THEMES agenda.
“The Lagos state government has invested a lot in fighting crime in the state and recently, Sanwo-Olu handed over some security equipment to the State Police Command to improve their operations.
“The neighbourhood safety corps is also playing its part in terms of intelligence gathering especially in the communities.
“Recently, we gave the governor and other stakeholders a 250-page list of abandoned, collapsed, and dilapidated buildings where criminals use as a hideout.
“We don’t have lethal weapons but we are playing our part by integrating into the communities, gathering intelligence and information that will aid the operations of other relevant agencies.
“We also need the cooperation of citizens to give us information. Security is a collective responsibility and this is part of the synergy we are emphasizing,” he said.
One of the facilitators, Mr. Ope Amusan, Managing Director, NISREL Consulting, decried the rivalry among security agencies saying it was one of the factors hindering synergy among the agencies.
“Law enforcement agencies cannot afford to work at cross purposes. They must work in unison to ensure the vision and mission of Lagos State, especially the THEMES agenda is actualised.
“The officers must know they cannot succeed without the efforts of the others. If they don’t work together, failure is inevitable,” he said.
One of the participants, Mr. Rufus Adele, Principal Law Enforcement officer (Environmental Sanitation) at KAI, lauded the institute and the facilitators for the learning experience, which he described as a “moment of truth.”
“I have learnt that synergy, the right attitude, and good leadership are needed to perform optimally and I am glad that I’m leaving here better informed than before,” he said.
In attendance at the retreat were representatives of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS).
Others were: Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGSEC), and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI).
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