Insecurity situation in Lagos State is going up since Fashola left. Armed robbers are gradually creeping back to Lagos as kidnappers carry out their sinister acts at will. Cultists are on the rampage, unleashing terror on the populace.
In Yoruba language, the name Ambode literally means: we are on our way to arrive; that’s the last name of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode -- his predecessor Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) evidently raised the bar during his eight years as Governor of the commercial hub of Nigeria. Fears of many Lagos residents were premised on who would step into the big shoes of BRF considering his positive impacts in Lagos while others felt the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) would do justice to making sure a worthy successor continue from where Fashola stopped.
In a tightly contested gubernatorial election in April, 2015, Akinwunmi Abode defeated a visibly more eloquent Jimi Agbaje of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Ambode is prowess in paper is quite intimidating, he is sure a brilliant mind with track records but Lagosians seem not getting the fire just yet – no thanks to the ever vibrant BRF’s achievements as governor of Lagos – he did make it a Herculean task for his successor to surpass his achievements while he bettered, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu he (BRF) succeeded.
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Although, it may be too early to judge Ambode’s efficiency and capability as he may still be on his way, we hope he arrives early for he has records to meet or beat.
Insecurity situation in Lagos State is going up since Fashola left. Armed robbers are gradually creeping back to Lagos as kidnappers carry out their sinister acts at will. Cultists are on the rampage, unleashing terror on the populace.
In June, there were a series of reported armed robbery incidents in Lagos. Robbers raided, in broad day light, Omitoro branch of First Bank and Ijede branch of Wema Bank in Ikorodu. The attacks were carried out within minutes’ intervals by the same gang. Same day, it was reported that robbers raided a Lagos hospital on Santa Maria Street, in the Egan, Igando area of Lagos State; after carting away valuables of patients, they also raped an 18-year-old auxiliary nurse in the hospital.
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On July 2, five-gang robbers strangled a cab driver to death at Ransome Kuti Gardens, Anthony village. The man was killed by the assailants when he found to be in possession of just 5, 000 naira. They were however arrested by the police who acted on a tip off while trying to escape with the victim’s car.
In August, armed bandits who attack innocent people on the Mile 2 and Orile Iganmu on the Badagry expressway were reported to have returned as they continued to rob people of their possessions. The robbers operate during traffic at night. About five cases were reported within a week at Mile-Isale where two persons narrowly escaped death.
What about kidnappers? They are back. The most recent was the kidnapping of the wife of the Deputy Managing Director of The Sun Newspaper, Steve Nwose. She was later released by her abductors three days later.
Lagos police suddenly appear helpless to fight crime as against what was obtainable during Fashola’s administration when many criminals had to relocate to neighbouring states where the heat was mild.
One of notable moves of Ambode since he assumed office has been to expose the misdeeds of his predecessor, BRF. I am of the opinion that Lagos Governor should settle down and deliver his campaign promises. To be fair to Ambode, he appears to be emulating BRF’s attitude towards road infrastructure development.
Fashola will always be Fashola while Ambode will always be Ambode but the latter has got a lot of up his sleeves to prove to Lagosians that he is here to improve on Fashola’s feat. Some think the shoe is too big for him but I beg to differ. I believe Ambode has got what it takes to better Fashola as Lagos State Governor but we can’t wait forever. He needs to arrive, and in time too.
Adediwura writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
Twitter: @DiwuraMedia
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