Speaking during the inauguration held on Monday at Shomolu, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr. Olohundare Jimoh said the Eko Strike Team was created to support activities of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and to strengthen security architecture of the state.

He said that the facility which was donated by the Chairman of Shomolu Local Government, Mr. Abdulateef Ashimi, was to enhance operational capacity of the rapid response team and improve response time to distress calls.

He noted that the facility was not established to rival the RRS, but to support its operations and ensure faster responses to criminal incidents.

According to him, the strategic location of the headquarters would enable officers to respond quickly to incidents both on the mainland and Island areas of Lagos.

He said the presence of the team would also help address the fear of crime among residents, stressing that public confidence in security is essential for economic and social activities to thrive.

“The fear of crime is often worse than the crime itself. Our goal is to remove that fear and ensure that people can go about their daily activities safely,” he said.

The commissioner thanked Ashimi for donating the facility, describing the gesture as a strong example of community support for security agencies.

He urged residents to cooperate with the police by providing timely and useful information that could help prevent crime, as effective policing requires collaboration.

He thanked the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, for his guidance, encouragement and commitment to improving policing..

Jimoh also thanked the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his continued support to security agencies through the provision of logistics and other resources to enhance policing in the state.

Meanwhile, in his welcome address, Ashimi, harped on the importance of community involvement in maintaining local security.

He highlighted the role of police and community members in preventing crime, protecting youths, and ensuring that residents can live and carry out activities peacefully.

Ashimi expressed gratitude to security agencies for their support in the  provision of requisite equipment.

He underscored the need for proactive collaboration between authorities and the community, in addressing security challenges. (NAN)