The criminals and robbers appear to have staged a return to Lagos homes and streets; and residents of the nation’s commercial capital have been berating their new governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to no end.

Residents are getting their windshields smashed and guns pointed at their heads in chaotic traffic and there’ve been more robberies in Lagos in the last one month than there were during the entire life-span of the Fashola administration, according to reports.

But Ambode has said he’s up to the challenges and will take criticisms on the chin.

“You elected me. I am your servant. I am ready for criticism. I believe you have a voice and such voice must be protected. We are running an inclusive government. Join hands with me and ensure that you carry out your own civic obligation,” Ambode said during a recent Radio program.

The governor lamented that they “are only 33,000 police officers in the state to watch over 20 million of us. Obviously, we will do whatever we can do.”

He said his administration “is doing everything to ensure that residents are safe. We are providing equipment, cameras for security agencies. We will be continuing from where former Governor Babatunde Fashola stopped.

“We are committed to using technology to support our security agencies. That is what we are currently doing. In three or four weeks, you will some of those things we are talking about. I am happy that the private sector is supporting us heavily. Just recently, we did a security trust fund appeal.

“We were able to get good money from the private sector because they know we are committed to solving security challenges in Lagos. I just want to appeal to Lagos residents to bear with us. We are limited by these factors that we have enumerated. We cannot fold our hands and be drowned by our challenges.

“We are already on the drawing board. We are joining hands with all security agencies to ensure that security is of utmost importance to us. Without security, we cannot attract investment. We can improve on it to ensure that Lagos becomes safer. That is what I am committed to doing.”