14th July, 2015
Eromosele Ebhomele
The lawmaker representing Epe Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, western Nigeria, Segun Olulade, on Tuesday charged people living in riverine areas and waterfront communities in the state to report activities of illegal bunkerers and criminals to the security agents in the state without fear.
In a statement he issued in Lagos, the lawmaker noted that the activities of hoodlums using Lagos waterways now constitute a menace to the security of residents in the riverine areas and communities located on the river bank particularly Epe, Badagry, Ijede-Ikorodu, Ojo, Apapa and others.
He said the criminal activities ranging from bunkering, kidnapping and robbery through waterways pose grave danger to the lives of people in the communities.
He urged the residents to wake up to support government in its effort to eradicate such criminal activities while further charging residents to provide information that could help government nab perpetrators.
The lawmaker said except the dwellers of the areas help government with viable information, the criminal activities might not be curbed easily.
“The community people know who these people are because it is their community.
“Residents should put aside whatever benefit bunkerers offer to lure them into keeping silent because that does not help them in the long run.
“We have seen instances where residents harbour bunkerers for paltry benefits but I tell you it does not pay in the end.
“They should inform government and save their communities from criminals,” he said while urging residents to be wary of suspicious movements around their communities.
To him, waterways crimes can be reduced to barest minimum if government receives the right cooperation from the people.