Post by Honorebu on Jul 17, 2016 11:00:51 GMT
•Orders Police I.G, NEMA to help communities
The House of Representatives on Thursday gave hope to the people of Igbo-olomu, Agbede, Elepete and other communities on the border of Lagos and Ogun States that were recently ravaged by rampaging militants in an invasion that left nearly 20 persons dead and many more injured.
Tongues are still waging within and outside the two southwestern states following the unprovoked attacks, two weeks ago, on the communities by people suspected to be Ijaw militants who had, prior to the attack, sent letters to the residents of the area, intimating them of the intention to attack the area and kill, as well as destroy properties.
Weeks after the incident which attracted widespread condemnation, the few residents who had summoned enough courage to return to the communities after thousands fled in the wake of the brutal killings, continue to lament the absence of security operatives and emergency relief workers in the communities.
But the lower House on Thursday, following a motion moved by Hon. Babajimi Benson representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and promptly seconded by Hon. Mukaila Kazzim representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, directed the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies particularly the Army and Navy to protect lives and properties in the affected communities.
Benson, while moving the motion stated while debating the motion in a passionate voice on the floor of the House, painted a gory picture of the incidents of the last two weeks in the affected communities and urged his colleagues to pity the unfortunate conditions into which many families and residents of the area have been thrown by the rampaging attackers.
He lamented that it is an unfortunate thing that the militants come into the area and leave, through the creeks, unhindered. He expressed fears that unless drastic security measures are taken, it is not impossible that the killer gangs would attempt to repeat their visits to the affected communities or other communities around the area.
“The riverine communities are supposed to be protected by the Federal Government, the Army and Navy. Considering that the Constitution guarantees the right to life and dignity of human person, I urge the 8th Assembly to assist in putting a stop to the attacks by mandating the police, the army, the navy and also NEMA to pay particular attention to these communities so that these heinous crimes can be abated.” He urged that the motion be given urgent consideration by the House.
The lawmaker also noted the resurgence of coordinated attacks in Ishawo, Elepe, Agbede, Igbo-Olomu Areas of Ikorodu, a suburb in Lagos State, where cases of abduction and killing have been reported. According to him, the onslaught by militants/gunmen against riverine communities in Lagos State and parts of Ogun State, has increased in recent time
He said the motion is premised on his concern that the number of lives lost and properties that have been destroyed in the last month have not received the required and urgent attention from the Federal government, leaving only the Lagos State Government to attempt to curtail the attacks.
He is also worried that the number of internally displaced persons in Lagos State has been on the increase as residents have continue to flee their houses to other communities that are considered to be safer.
Seconding the motion and urging its consideration by the House, Kazzim noted that a similar motion was sponsored by him on December 15, 2015, highlighting the activities of militants in the same area.
The House in its ruling on the motion, urge the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies particularly the Army and Navy to protect lives and properties in the affected communities. It also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to carry out a fact finding mission in order to ascertain the level of damages and provide relief materials to the victims;
To ensure that its attempt to put smiles on the faces of the residents of the affected communities is not in vain, Speaker Yakubu Dogara specifically mandated the Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Defence, Police Affairs and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
thenationonlineng.net/ikorodu-killings-house-representatives-rescue/
The House of Representatives on Thursday gave hope to the people of Igbo-olomu, Agbede, Elepete and other communities on the border of Lagos and Ogun States that were recently ravaged by rampaging militants in an invasion that left nearly 20 persons dead and many more injured.
Tongues are still waging within and outside the two southwestern states following the unprovoked attacks, two weeks ago, on the communities by people suspected to be Ijaw militants who had, prior to the attack, sent letters to the residents of the area, intimating them of the intention to attack the area and kill, as well as destroy properties.
Weeks after the incident which attracted widespread condemnation, the few residents who had summoned enough courage to return to the communities after thousands fled in the wake of the brutal killings, continue to lament the absence of security operatives and emergency relief workers in the communities.
But the lower House on Thursday, following a motion moved by Hon. Babajimi Benson representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and promptly seconded by Hon. Mukaila Kazzim representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, directed the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies particularly the Army and Navy to protect lives and properties in the affected communities.
Benson, while moving the motion stated while debating the motion in a passionate voice on the floor of the House, painted a gory picture of the incidents of the last two weeks in the affected communities and urged his colleagues to pity the unfortunate conditions into which many families and residents of the area have been thrown by the rampaging attackers.
He lamented that it is an unfortunate thing that the militants come into the area and leave, through the creeks, unhindered. He expressed fears that unless drastic security measures are taken, it is not impossible that the killer gangs would attempt to repeat their visits to the affected communities or other communities around the area.
“The riverine communities are supposed to be protected by the Federal Government, the Army and Navy. Considering that the Constitution guarantees the right to life and dignity of human person, I urge the 8th Assembly to assist in putting a stop to the attacks by mandating the police, the army, the navy and also NEMA to pay particular attention to these communities so that these heinous crimes can be abated.” He urged that the motion be given urgent consideration by the House.
The lawmaker also noted the resurgence of coordinated attacks in Ishawo, Elepe, Agbede, Igbo-Olomu Areas of Ikorodu, a suburb in Lagos State, where cases of abduction and killing have been reported. According to him, the onslaught by militants/gunmen against riverine communities in Lagos State and parts of Ogun State, has increased in recent time
He said the motion is premised on his concern that the number of lives lost and properties that have been destroyed in the last month have not received the required and urgent attention from the Federal government, leaving only the Lagos State Government to attempt to curtail the attacks.
He is also worried that the number of internally displaced persons in Lagos State has been on the increase as residents have continue to flee their houses to other communities that are considered to be safer.
Seconding the motion and urging its consideration by the House, Kazzim noted that a similar motion was sponsored by him on December 15, 2015, highlighting the activities of militants in the same area.
The House in its ruling on the motion, urge the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies particularly the Army and Navy to protect lives and properties in the affected communities. It also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to carry out a fact finding mission in order to ascertain the level of damages and provide relief materials to the victims;
To ensure that its attempt to put smiles on the faces of the residents of the affected communities is not in vain, Speaker Yakubu Dogara specifically mandated the Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Defence, Police Affairs and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
thenationonlineng.net/ikorodu-killings-house-representatives-rescue/