Mushin Crisis: Police Vow To Prosecute Perpetrators

The Police in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, has vowed to prosecute those arrested in connection with the crisis that engulfed Mushin two days ago in which about five people were killed and several others injured.

This was stated during an emergency security meeting convened by Governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, to address the spate of insecurity in the state.

In attendance were the Director of State Security Services (SSS), Mr. Achu Ben Olayi; the Commanding Officer, NNS Beecroft, Naval Base, Apapa, Commodore Jonathan Ango; Commander, 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja, Brigadier General Sanusi Nasiru Muazu; Air Force Commander, 435 BSG, Ikeja, Group Captain Ayo Saad Abdulsalam; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr. Yakub Alkali and Senior Special Assistant on Security, Major Tunde Panox.

Speaking after the meeting which lasted till evening, the Commissioner for Police, Yakub

Alkali, said the state government had decided to prosecute all of them, pointing out that all those who have been arrested in combined operations by the Police will face the appropriate laws as at when due.

The Police chief urged the people to always have confidence in security agencies and be forthcoming with information to key security officials, adding that they should always have free access to all the divisional police officers (DPOs), area commanders and even the commissioner.

He also urged the media to always “tread on the path of caution” and ensure that they always report the correct version of events and occurrences since “some of such issues sometimes border on national security.”

The commissioner vowed that the law restricting the movement of commercial motorcycle (okada) riders in Lagos would now be enforced to the letter.

According to him, the state government had decided to commence strict enforcement of the ban on operation of okada both on specific roads and at specific periods in the state.

“We want to go into strict enforcement of the Lagos State laws on movement of okada as designated in different parts of the state. We are all aware that there is a law restricting okada movement by 8 p.m. within Ikoyi, Ikeja and Victoria Island and by 10 p.m. generally.

“This law also includes men in uniform. This law recognises no sacred cows. We want to be very emphatic that nobody is above the law. Even if our men are arrested during this operation, no one would be treated as a sacred cow.”

“The laws are enacted for the people to obey and appropriate sanctions would be meted out to people who fail to obey the law. We want to advise, not only okada users but those who want to go for socials at night that there are other means of transport available by state government and individuals.

“We have lots of taxis, Keke NAPEP and mini buses that are allowed to operate within the confines of the law.”

—Kazeem Ugbodaga