Lagos, Nigeria - The government of Lagos state in Nigeria is to purchase 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) for the use of the police, in the wake of the security alert that has gripped the West Africa nation following last Thursday's bombing of the police headquarters in the capital city of Abuja. The state House of Assembly (parliament) Monday approved 700 million naira for the purchase, following a request to that effect by the state government (US$1=150 naira). Lagos state, the nation's commercial capital, is the country's economic nerve centre and home to its main sea ports as well as the main gateway Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

The state has established a Security Trust Fund to enable it appropriately kit the state police command to ensure the security of the over 15 million citizens in the state.

It is not known how many APCs have been purchased by the state government, but it handed over 10 APCs to the police last year.

Most of the country's 36 states are also equipping their state police commands for better security.

The bombing of the police headquarters by suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, which left 8 dead, 44 injured and over 70 cars damaged, has forced the nation's  security agencies to take extra measures to protect lives and property.

Pana 21/06/2011