Based on the recent attacks by militants on communities in Lagos State, the Senate has called on the Federal Government to ensure better security in the State and the Federal Capital Territory.
The lawmakers also called for deployment of the military in the areas.
The Senate made the demand based on a motion moved by Senator Gbenga Ashafa (APC/Lagos East) at the plenary on Tuesday.
The lawmakers unanimously granted the prayers of the motion, which include to “advise the Federal Government to direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately instruct the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, to beef up the strength of the task force already on ground in order to effectively secure all the affected creeks and communities.”
Another prayer approved by the lawmakers was to “advise the Federal Government to direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately make available sufficient helicopters for aerial surveillance and gunboats to the Marine Police department of the Lagos State Police Command, in order to enable the state command effectively tackle the activities of the militants.”
The Senate also urged the army, navy and other security agencies to assist the Nigeria Police Force in its quest to rid Lagos State, particularly the creeks in Lagos East Senatorial District, of criminal syndicates making use of its waterways to perpetuate crime.
Moving the motion, Ashafa said the 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 and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Areas of the state.
He said, “The Senate is alarmed that the recent kidnap incidents have assumed a totally new and disturbing dimension in the sense that just yesterday, 9th April, 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 the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.”
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