CITIZENS COMPASS —For effective policing in Nigeria, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has recommended the use of smarphones by the Nigeria Police.
According to the Governor, the world has gone digital, so, men of the Nigeria Police should follow suit to enhance their performance in the fight against criminality in the country.
Speaking on Monday, December 11, 2023, at a town hall security meeting on community policing organised by the Ministry of Police Affairs, which was held at the Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos State, he also advised them to connect internet to the smartphones.
Sanwo-Olu said that if Lagos could equip its State Neighbourhood Corps with body cameras, the Federal Government can surpass this by equiping policemen with smartphones. He said, “Smartphones are good for effective policing and will enable policemen to track records and have accurate analysis of what transpires in the course of their duties. “ He said.
Speaking further, the Governor advised the Police to explore usage of smartphones to their advantage rather than for fashion saying, “If Lagos Neighborhood Watch can be armed with body cameras, how much more the Nigeria Police. Smartphones are not for fashion but as tools to take proper records.
“Apart from the phones, they should have access to the internet.” said the Governor.
Speaking on the theme of the programme, Sanwo-Olu said this is inline with the Renewed Hope for Policing agenda of the nation.
He assured the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force of continued support from the state government, for the implementation of the renewed hope agenda for community policing,
On the impact of Security Trust Fundd (STF), he said the state has been using this to support federal security agencies like the Nigerian Army, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police Force among others.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of state for Police Affairs, said the federal government is committed to strengthening the operational capability of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
