How We Foiled Attempts By Terrorists To Bomb Lagos - Fashola

 

Minister for Works and Housing who is also a former Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola has revealed how his government successfully stopped terrorists from bombing Lagos state in 2013.

 

Fashola narrated the story on Thursday.

 

Fashola who was governor of the state at the time said they intercepted 17 suitcases loaded with explosives which were smuggled in to wreak havoc.

 

He disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled “Insecurity: Taking actions against organised crime” at the fourth annual public lecture of the United Action for Change (UAC) held in Lagos.

 

Noting that security was not the job of law enforcement agencies alone, Fashola said the suitcases were discovered with the help of citizen information.

 

“It was citizen information, which we did not discard, that led to their seizure, apprehension of the suspects and their cargo of terror. They were tried in Lagos without public show. That was the period new courts were being built in Badagry and we prosecuted them there. They were given fair trial because they had lawyers representing them. They were over 20 and were convicted and this enabled government put them in a place where they could no longer harm residents of Lagos,” he said.

 

According to the Minister, the collection of information and the use of it to prevent crime or apprehend criminal activity was often discussed as if it was the prerogative of law enforcement agencies alone.

“It helps to occupy the space of anonymity in which all criminals thrive and provides information or suspicion about irregular or abnormal behaviour that requires attention,” said Fashola.

 

To contain insecurity, the Minister said multilevel policing must be allowed to thrive, noting that those opposing the creation of state/community police were denying a reality they were currently living.

 

He endorsed the Southwest joint security operation Amotekun, adding that there should be a legal framework to outline creation of state police for those may wish to do so.

 

Fashola also advised states and local governments across the country must as a matter of urgency, take control of open spaces, empty buildings which usually provide free and unmonitored accommodation for criminals as well as storage for weapons, drugs and proceeds of crime.

 

He said laws should be put in place to compel people to identify themselves in public buildings, guest houses/ hotels and have surveillance systems in place, adding that unregistered vehicles or covered number plates should not be tolerated.