The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, unveiled surveillance drones acquired by the state to be deployed on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Abiodun said the drones, to be operated by trained personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of Stata Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, would help to tackle criminal activities on the highway.
The governor also handed over 25 patrol vans he acquired and donated to the police in the state.
Abiodun handed over the vehicles at a ceremony witnessed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The governor called on the force to include technology in its crime-fighting strategies.
The IG had been in Ogun State since Tuesday on a three-day working visit.
Abiodun said acquiring the drones was one of the proactive steps his administration had taken in collaboration with Lagos and Oyo states to effectively monitor activities on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to ensure prompt response in emergency situations.
He said, “As a gesture of appreciation for you and all that you are doing to law enforcement and effective policing in our state and by extension Nigeria, we have decided to complement you and your efforts by donating today 25 patrol vans to the police and our law enforcement architecture.
“This, we believe, will commemorate your first official visit to Ogun State.
“Towards ensuring peace in our state, we will continue to strengthen and support our already established Security Trust Fund by procuring relevant gadgets, including drones.
“We will continue to argue the allowances and living conditions of our security personnel to motivate them to enhance security and safety in our state.”
The governor, who said he was impressed with the efforts of the IG at repositioning the force for optimal performance in line with the tenet of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, called for the integration of modern technology in tackling the various security challenges facing the nation.
In his remarks, Egbetokun said his vision was to put in place a professionally competent and service-oriented police force.
He promised that more police stations and more Area Commands would be created in Ogun State, adding that more personnel would be deployed.
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