Robberies: Lagos Assembly demands tight security

JULY 3, 2013 

Governor Babatunde Fashola

The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babatunde Fashola, to order the deployment of security men, especially the Rapid Response Squad, in every part of the state in order to beef up security.

A statement by the Assembly on Tuesday, quoted the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, as saying this during the plenary session of the lawmakers. The Speaker said the measure would go a long way in curbing the  new wave of robbery attacks in the state.

The member representing Lagos Mainland II, Moshood Oshun, had raised the alarm over the incessant robbery attacks on the people of his constituency, especially Iwaya. He had also reiterated the need for RRS personnel to be deployed across the state.

Other lawmakers who contributed to the discussion, said the state Police Command must be active in discharging its duties.

Ikuforiji said, “The governor should also look into fund usage by Security Trust Fund and do the necessary things to help it to boost policing in this state.”

Meanwhile, the Assembly has directed both committees of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions to look into the Child Rights Law with a view to make amendment to it.

The statement said the directive was sequel to increase in cases of rape and defilement of minors in the state which was brought to the notice of the Assembly by the lawmaker representing Oshodi – Isolo Constituency, Omowumi Olatunji-Edet.

 He said the growing incidence of rape and defilement of minors, as stated by the Ministry of Justice, put the number of female children defiled in the state last year at 427.

Olatunji-Edet had also reminded his colleagues that some cases of child defilement were not reported and the culprits were left off the hook without prosecution.

The lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Information and Strategy to embark on sensitisation programme to educate parents/guardians on the need to be more vigilant and be attentive to their children/wards.