A Lawmaker has declared that those against the idea of state police are enemies of the country.
The Lawmaker, Hon. Setonji David of Lagos House of Assembly said the move would create an effective means for protecting residents’ lives and property.
He expressed this opinion on Monday, during a session with fellow Lawmakers, calling on the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanso-Olu, to increase the number of Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
As contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Lagos Assembly’s Media, the Lawmakers further urged the Commissioner of Police to double efforts in securing the people of Lagos State.
Their call comes from the backdrop of an incident in the state on July 8, as there was a move to attack Hon. Olawale Rauf Age-Sulaiman, the legislator representing Amowu Odofin.
The attempt on the legislator’s life transpired during a state political rally scheduled ahead of the impending local government elections.
According to the statement, while Hon. Age-Sulaiman escaped death on that sad day, another chieftain of the All Progressives Congres, APC, met an unfortunate ending.
The chieftain, Samuel Kayode, reportedly stood beside Age-Sulaiman when shots were fired but ran out of luck and later pronounced deceased.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, who presided over the sitting on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa said the incident was shocking. He also commiserated with the family of the deceased.
As a matter of urgency, while referring to the gunshot incident in Orlade Local Government Area of Lagos State, the House, through Hon. Rotimi Olowo condemned the patronage of political thugs and called for adequate deployment of state police.
He stressed that thugs should not be for the settlement of political matters, urging security agencies in the county to be given more seriousness by establishing state police.
While Hon. Yinka Ogundimu suggested that the House call upon the Governor to protect lives and property 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 an eternal family sorrow,” he said as he 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,” he said.
Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu noted that the call to establish state police to protect lives could not be over-flogged with the increasing crime rate in society.
Other lawmakers present during the session include Desmond Elliot, Kehinde Joseph, and Rotimi Abiru.