Emmanuel Thomas
June 29, 2015 -The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the Nigerian Navy and other relevant agencies to provide adequate security along the Lagos waterways.
The lawmakers made the call following incidents of robberies in Lagos with the robbers escaping with their loot along the waterways. One of such incident was recorded in April in Lekki and two incidents in Ikorodu this month.
Contributing to a motion on the recent robberies in Ikorodu, Hon. Olufunmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin Constituency 1) noted that the problem of waterways robbery is no longer unforeseen and that it has become rampant.
She called on the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian Navy and other relevant agencies to rise up to the current challenge.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria needs to strengthen the Navy and the Police. We also need to know the challenges facing the waterways and the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF). Authorities of Lagos State Security Trust Fund should be invited to the House. We need to amend the law of LSSTF 2008 and make their corps more effective.
Hon. Moshood Osun (Eti-Osa Constituency II) said that the issue of waterway robbery is nationwide and that the banks are not on waterways, but on the streets. He revealed that he witnessed the robbery incident in Lekki about two months ago, and that it was so scary that the robbers used explosives to gain access to the treasury.
Osun observed that the issue of state security has been an issue because the chain of command of the police is a bit difficult.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade who moved the motion,requested Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos to strengthen the Waterways with Guard Corps.
According to him, the special squad should be supported to properly carry out their functions as enshrined in the Lagos State Waterways Agency 2008, adding that the two helicopters purchased for LASWA should be made functional.
He said that all commercial banks and structures near jetties should be strengthened via installation of high density cameras in their premises.
“Rapid Response Squad (RRS) should extend their operations from the roads to waterways. The Federal Government through the National Assembly, should approve the formation of state police by the 36 states in the country,” he said.
In his submission, Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh from Apapa Constituency 2 said that the resolution should cover international boundaries and that the Nigerian Maritime Police should be involved on the security on the state’s waterways while Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi from Ojo Constituency 2, observed that armed robbers are trying to put Lagos State under siege, adding that the Ikorodu robbery incident is similar to the one that occurred in Lekki area of the state about two months ago.
“The armed robbers operated commando-like unchallenged and operated with highly sophisticated equipment and highly experienced individuals. We should wake up to strengthen the control and security of our waterways. We should work with the communities along the waterways for intelligence purposes. We need more Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in Lagos,” he said.
Hon. Sikiru Oshinowo from Kosofe Constituency 1 however, suggested that it is better to license all the boats on the waterways in the state so that the government would know the number of boats operating in the state as well as their numbers to make it easy to recognise anyone used for robbery operations.
Hon. Yinka Ogundimu from Agege 2 Constituency pointed out that security should be taken serious and that it would be difficult for men of the RRS to operate on the waterways due to training.
Also speaking on the matter, Hon. Rotimi Olowo from Shomolu Constituency 1 accused the Nigerian Navy of focusing on dredgers and miners rather than handling issues of robbery on waterways as he said that they are given incentives for such purposes.
He also advised that banks and other financial institutions in the state to invest in Information Technology to help security men perform their duties.
