Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos has assured Lagosians of maximum security, describing the alleged presence of Boko Haram sect in the state as a threat.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, spoke at an annual Ramadan lecture organised by Old Students Association of Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Isolo in Lagos.
He noted that the state has put in place security measures that would not make criminal activities to strive.
He doubted how the terrorist sects would penetrate into South-West states, saying perpetrators in previous criminal activities in Lagos have been arrested.
When asked how prepared the Lagos was to combat alleged Boko Haram presence, he said, “It is just a threat to say that they are around. They cannot get into Lagos. We know that there is proper security in Lagos. Those who terrorised Lagos sometimes in the beginning of the year – January- have been taken. Those who kidnapped have also been taken.
“This shows that security is here to take care of them. In other All Progressives Congress states, security is perfect and it is very difficult to get into Lagos in particular, unless they are people that live within us and that is why we need to check that your neighbors and friend are actually we refer to them as. We cannot claim to be accommodating and allow people to come and serve as danger to us.”
He, however, urged Lagosians to participate in the ongoing residents registration exercise for proper identification of persons in the state.
Chief Imam, The Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Muhammad Lawal highlighted the conditions for ensuring peace in Lagos and other parts of the world.
Among the conditions, Lawal who was the lecturer of the programme said, were prayer, equality, justice and perseverance by both leaders and followers.
While speaking on the topic, ‘Islam, Politics and Ethics in Nigeria’, he said, “Political offices should be able to transform the world from ancient living to civilisation. No matter the challenges, leaders must strive to bring development to his/her people. Our leaders must persevere, pray and fast for the nation’s development.
“Fairness and justice must be used to rule if there must be peace in any nation. Followers and leaders must continuously demand for justice. Any government that fails to guarantee the lives and property of its citizen is running a failed state. They must ensure that everybody receive adequate justice and provide conducive environment for active citizens to get job and sustain a living.”
He tasked Nigerians to obey authority, adding that defence of any state should also be a concern for its residents.
“Citizens must be submissive to the authority of a nation. Defend the state against internal and external aggression; promote the peace and unity of the state,” he added.
National President of the association urged Federal Government and others intervening in the fight against Boko Haram not to handle the group as a religious group.
He explained that no religion supported the illegal killings of human being.