15th February, 2024
The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the government to support Amina Alege, a 12-year-old student of the Adam Yakubu Memorial High School in Lagos State, who suffered an eye injury after she was allegedly tear-gassed by the police.
The incident occurred on Friday, February 9, 2024, in front of a mosque near Adam Yakubu Memorial High School in Iloro, Cement, Agege, Lagos.
The House called on the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, and the ministry to offer necessary support to the young girl, who is billed for surgery.
The matter was brought to the attention of the Assembly by Abiodun Orekoya, chairman of the House Committee on Sports and Youth Development during a plenary session on Thursday presided on behalf of Mudashiru Obasa by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
Orekoya said he received the information through a human rights organisation, adding that the incident happened when two schools were embroiled in a clash and the police intervened with tear-gas.
He said the student’s parents had been borrowing money to pay for the treatment of Amina, who is currently admitted to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
Orekoya pleaded with the Assembly to call on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to offer support to the parents and help save Amina’s life before the situation worsens.
Supporting Orekoya’s appeal, Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2) emphasised that since the student attends a government-owned school, it was necessary for the governor to step in.
Joseph further requested that the House investigate the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Deputy Speaker Meranda directed the Chairman of the House Committee on Education (Secondary) to summon the management of both schools involved in the clash and investigate what led to the clash.
They are expected to report back within one week.