By Yemi Adeleye
Lagos – The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday called on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to take necessary steps to ensure safety and security of all residents.
The House also urged the governor to end kidnappings, gang war, cultism and other criminal activities in the state.
The House, which commended the huge investment of the state government in security, said that the state needed more security measures to checkmate activities of criminals.
The Assembly passed the House Motion No. 43, initiated by the Majority Leader, Mr Sanai Agunbiade.
Agunbiade stated: “This House calls on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to take all necessary steps aimed at engaging the Nigeria Air Force, Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Army to checkmate kidnapping in the state.
“The House calls on the governor to arrange with the commissioner of police and heads of other security agencies to increase security patrol and, where necessary, station armoured personnel carriers at strategic points and flash areas.
“Particular attention should be given to Maya, Epe and other troubled areas of the state.
“This House calls on Gov. Ambode to encourage prosecution of those arrested in connection with gang wars in the state.’’
He said that the House was worried by renewed activities of criminals in the state.
According to him, if these steps are taken, peace will return to all troubled areas.
In his contribution, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu, Chairman, House Committee on Waterfronts Infrastructure, said, “The motion is apt and has captured the mood of the state’’.
Yisahwu (APC-Eti Osa II) said, “Criminals in the state come up with a lot of strategies despite the huge amount of money the state government has spent on security.’’
The lawmaker, who called on Ambode to provide more equipment to fight crimes on waterways, urged security agents to comb the creeks.
Also speaking, Mr Abiodun Tobun, Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure said: “The government should do its best to drive criminals from the state; these criminals have now moved to places such as Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry.
“If the state drives criminals out, the state will be safer for the people to come and invest in.’’
Tobun (APC-Epe I) advised the state government to consider aerial surveillance, adding that criminals operated on the creeks.
However, Mr Tunde Braimoh, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security said that security challenge was not peculiar to Lagos State.
“It is a common phenomenon in a metropolitan state like Lagos.’’
Braimoh also urged the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state to get rid of criminals.
The House passed the motion after a voice vote conducted by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
