Wale Jagun
Lagos State House of Assembly has reiterated the need for State Police, stating that if allowed, it will tackle security challenges in all parts of the country.
The lawmakers made the call on Monday (yesterday) when a member of the Assembly representing Amuwo Odofin 2, Hon.Olawale Rauf Age – Sulaimon, brought, under ‘matter of urgent public importance’, an attempt on his life during a political rally, ahead of the forthcoming local council election in his constituency, on July 8, 2021.
In a statement issued by the Assembly, they called for the increase in the number of officers in the Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
They also urged the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to equip the state's security agency so that it can adequately protect the lives and property of residents.
The House further resolved that the Governor should call on the Commissioner of Police in the state to intensify efforts to secure the state.
While the lawmaker escaped death, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kayode Samuel, who stood beside him at the rally, was not that fortunate as he was reportedly hit and later confirmed dead.
Hon. Age-Sulaiman, while narrating how he escaped death from gunshots, stated that the incident occurred in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state.
“I heard some people making noise while the campaign was on and I called for calm but I didn’t know that there were some elements who came with another intention.
“We were about to go out when somebody told me not to, two people stood beside me and right there, I heard a gunshot sound, the next person beside me shouted my leg with blood-stains.
He added that he escaped by the whiskers.
Commenting on the incident, Hon. Rotimi Olowo condemned the use of thugs to settle political matters.
He also urged that security in the country should be given more seriousness through the establishment of state police.
“The commissioner of police should investigate the issue”.
He also said that politicians and other Nigerians are not safe at this time.
In the same vein, while Hon. Yinka Ogundimu suggested that the Governor should be called upon to protect lives and property of residents in the state by asking the commissioner of police to intensify efforts, his colleague, Hon Tobun Abiodun, urged people to desist from crime.
“Killing one individual can cause a family eternal sorrow”, Hon. Abiodun said.
He also used the opportunity to call for the establishment of state police.
“I know our government is very responsible, but we want to use this opportunity to call on the Governor again regard the issue of State Police”, he said.
Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu noted that with the increasing crime rate in the society, the call for the establishment of state police for the protection of lives cannot be over-flogged.
He urged the other Houses of Assembly in the federation to start calling for state police so that the National Assembly would take it seriously.
In his contribution, Hon. Setonji David said that those against state police are enemies of the country.
Other lawmakers including Desmond Elliot, Kehinde Joseph, and Rotimi Abiru also corroborated their colleagues in their respective submissions.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, who presided over the sitting, said that the incident was shocking.
He also commiserated with the family of the deceased.
