Bola Babarinde, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in South Africa, has commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for donating 259 operational vehicles to the police to bolster security in the state.

Mr Babarinde, in a statement on Sunday, said that the move underscores the governor’s resolve to make Lagos safe.

He said the action would foster an environment conducive to investment and economic growth for Africa’s fourth-largest economy and fastest-growing city.

He said that providing security resources such as vehicles, hardware, and communication equipment is a testament to the administration’s proactive stance in ensuring the safety of Lagos residents. 

He recalled other infrastructure support for security that Mr Sanwo-Olu has implemented as governor, including the formation of specialised units like the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps.

“These initiatives have complemented the efforts of the federal police and contributed to the state’s remarkable achievement of recording no bank robberies in the last decade,” he said.

Mr Babarinde, however, urged the governor not to relax in enhancing adequate security in the state, adding that the procurement of vehicles and equipment was “only the beginning.”

He said that to maximise the benefits of the vehicles and other security gadgets donated; there must be a robust maintenance programme and insurance policies in place.

Babarinde said this was necessary because the Nigeria Police Force had historically struggled with maintenance culture.

He said that without a strategic approach to maintenance, “these efforts could go to waste.”

Referencing the South African experience, Mr Babarinde suggested adopting a model where police vehicles were contracted to private vendors for regular maintenance over four to five years.

“This approach has significantly reduced the burden on the South African Police Service and extended the lifespan of their vehicles.

“Nigeria can learn from this model to ensure the sustainability of its security assets,” he said.

The Lagos State Government recently partnered with the federal police to remodel barrack projects, a significant step toward improving the living conditions of officers.