Gov. Ambode-I feel inadequate Lagos pupils are with kidnappers

The Lagos State Governor, Mr . Akinwunmi Ambode , says he feels inadequate because of his inability to quickly rescue the pupils recently kidnapped from the Lagos State Model College , Igbonla -Epe .
Ambode spoke with journalists on Thursday in Abuja in the wake of the recent kidnapping and a fresh threat to attack the Lagos Model College , Kankon , in Badagry .
He said the fact that that was the second time such incident would happen in the school gave the government an insight that something might be amiss .
He however said he would wait until the children were rescued before making a pronouncement.
The governor said he had already brought the issue to the notice of the Acting President , Yemi Osinbajo , and the nation ’s service chiefs .
He said , “If there is anything that makes me feel terribly inadequate , it is my inability to quickly get those schoolchildren back .
“I want to assure everybody that we are on top of it . We cannot be putting all the efforts that we are making on the pages of newspapers . That will jeopardise our efforts to recover those children .
“I cannot compromise their security just because I want to look good in the eyes of the public . But believe me , I am working 24 hours a day to make sure that they come back safely.
“I want to assure Lagosians that Lagos is safe and we are doing our best. There are just about 33 , 000 policemen in the state as against 22 million people and that was why we decided to do this Neighbourhood Safety Corps just to complement what the police are doing .
“More importantly, we are investing in technology equipment that we can actually use to combat this crime. I believe and I am praying also that in the next few days, these children will be back safely. ”
Ambode also said his administration was planning to engage the Senate on the benefits inherent in approving a special status for Lagos State.
While describing Lagos as a propeller for the nation’ s development, the governor argued that if the state got it right , Nigeria would also get it right .
Ambode said his administration had paid compensation to all those whose buildings were affected in the various construction works so far carried out by his government .
In Ikorodu , the governor said about 100 properties would be demolished for the construction of an expressway that will link Owutu to Lagos- Ibadan Expressway , saying the owners have signed on .
On the ongoing agitations in some parts of the country , Ambode commended the Acting President , Yemi Osinbajo , for being proactive.
He said state governors have resolved during a meeting with Osinbajo to support the country ’ s unity and douse the tension being raised nationwide .
The governor said while political restructuring as being canvassed in some quarters were good, there was also the need for what he called economic restructuring.