The security situation in Lagos State is getting the attention of a lawyer and activist, Dr. Yemi Omodele and he is appealing to the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to do the needful before it is too late.
He is particularly worried about the extortion by the Security Operatives including but not limited to Police.
Dr. Omodele specifically pointed out areas where the criminals and Police have made their points to extort and rob helpless residents and want the Governor to take a proactive step.
Other area he mentioned is the under-aged beggars turning the ones beautiful areas in Lagos to beggars’ point and he want the state Governor to draw inspiration from the Child Right Act to protect this vulnerable group.
Below is Dr Omodele’s Press Statement on the Security situation in Lagos
From: Dr Yemi Omodele
To: All Pressmen
Title: Press Release Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu – Securing and the Security of Lagos State and Lagosians is the most! It is not news that every Nigerian has one or more relations residing in Lagos State either on a private business or being employed. Virtually all countries of the world have their citizens in Lagos State based on international relations, naturalization, tourism, expatriate and/or employment purposes.
Lagos State is a former federal capital territory and where the federal government generates a lot of revenues, the security of the state is important to both the federal and the state governments.
Since the issue of terrorism started in Nigeria, Lagos State has not experienced it save for kidnapping which occurred some years ago and the government of the day then took drastic steps in curtailing it.
Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu inherited the tranquillity of the state from past administrations, though he took drastic steps in sending COVID-19 parking out of the state during its outbreak. He also did his best during the EndSARS protest in ensuring that peace reign in the state.
On or about the 2nd week of July 2022, it seems Mr Governor and his lieutenants are sleeping in terms of security networking in the state because innocent persons are being robbed or dispossessed of their valuables on the highways, and police officers keep on extorting money from motorists, under-aged children turned the major roads to beggars’ market, Vehicle Inspection Officers keep on taxing motorists incessantly among other vices in the state.
It has been reported in some online media that some criminal elements are planning to invade some states in the Southwestern part of the country and that Lagos State is one of the states. This is taken, serious sir! So, a peaceful community in Ondo State was attacked recently and the people of the area have not recovered from the shock.
The election is fast approaching in the country. Politicians are looking for magic to perform to enable them to win at all costs. They are looking for votes in all nooks and crannies of the country not bordered by the security of the land. This is callous.
Findings in Lagos State revealed that Maryland, Bank Anthony Road to Ikeja has been taken over by beggars who are not even Nigerians begging for money and using that opportunity to rob innocent motorists during traffic in the day and at night; criminal and fraudulent police officers who claimed to be working with the Lagos State Task Force have taken over Gbagada, Iyana-Owoshoki, Oshodi, Costain, Apongbon, Ijora, Mile 2, Mile 12, Oba Akran, Ashade, Mangoro, Airport, Igbo-Elerin, Okokomaiko Express Roads among others under the pretext of enforcement of law and order to extort motorists.
They always carry motorbikes … and at times hide in a yellow commercial bus looking for a lone motorist to arrest and intimidate to collect money from him or her.
They arrest motorists and take them to a different location to collect money from them. The policemen at Apongbon, Ijora, Stadium and Costain do fraudulently arrest and take their victims under the bridge at National Stadium and obtain huge sums of money from them if the person does not want their car taken to Oshodi Task Force Office. The ones at Gbagada, Iyana Oworo do take their victims along Alapere Express and collect money from them before telling them to turn at the old toll gate and proceed on their journey.
There is the Child Rights Law, 2015 in Lagos State empowering the government to do the needful by taking care of the children to avoid child abuse. Mr Governor urgently needs to look at this to address the series of attacks along Maryland/Bank Anthony Way Ikeja and other parts of the state where children are being used to beg for money along the roads and persons are being robbed of their personal effects. Children are being used as preys by robbers and/or criminals.
There is no law empowering policemen to collect bribes in this state. The duty of policemen on highway is to correct motorists who make mistakes while driving and not to use it as a means of enriching themselves.
The fact that an election is coming should not be a condition to abandon your duties and responsibilities for the state. Do not allow criminals to take over the state.
Call the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Airport, CP Railway, CP SFU and the AIG Zone II to order to direct their officers and men to stop embarrassing motorists on the road with unscrupulous offences. The security network in the state needed to be strengthened to avoid any form of attack.
Dated this 2nd day of August 2022 Signed: Dr Yemi Omodele
