Based on recent attacks and killings of security personnel by militants, in Lagos communities, Senate has called on the Federal Government to ensure better security in the state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The lawmakers also called for deployment of the military in the affected areas.
Senate made the demand based on a motion by Senator Gbenga Ashafa at yesterday’s plenary.
Senators unanimously granted the prayers of the motion, which urged the chamber to “advise the federal government to direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to instruct the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, to beef up the strength of the taskforce already on ground, to effectively secure the affected creeks and communities.”
Another prayer approved by the lawmakers was to “advise the federal government to direct the IGP to make available sufficient helicopters for aerial surveillance and gunboats to the Marine Police department of the Lagos state police Command, to enable the state command effectively tackle activities of the militants.”
Senate also “urged the Army, Navy and other security agencies to assist the Nigeria Police in its quest to rid Lagos, particularly the creeks in Lagos East Senatorial District of criminal syndicates making use of its waterways to perpetuate crime.”
Moving the motion, Ashafa said Senate noted, “with urgent and grave concern” the recent increase in the activities of criminal syndicates, who, he said, specialised in kidnapping and carrying out militant activities in Kosofe, Epe, Ikorodu, Ibeju Lekki local government areas of the state.
“Senate is alarmed that the recent kidnap incidents have assumed a new and disturbing dimension in the sense that just yesterday, April 9, 2017, a Nigerian Army captain identified as Muhammed, two other soldiers, four policemen and a civilian lost their lives after suspected militants attacked Ishawo, in Ikorodu area of Lagos state.”