Lagos assembly asks security agencies to tackle rising extortion of motorists by street urchins

The Lagos house of assembly has asked security agencies to address the rising cases of extortion of residents by street urchins in the state.

The assembly also called on security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and take decisive actions against miscreants extorting money from motorists.

The Lagos assembly made the resolution on Tuesday following a motion of urgent public importance by Ganiyu Sanni, the lawmaker representing the Kosofe constituency 1.

Sanni bemoaned the increasing cases of extortion by street urchins and miscreants on Lagos roads, noting that there is a need for urgent action to protect road users.

Supporting the motion, Kehinde Joseph, the lawmaker representing Alimosho constituency 2, said the growing trend of extortion by miscreants in the state poses a serious threat to the safety and sanity of road users.

Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere constituency 1, proposed the involvement of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in finding solutions to the miscreants’ menace in the state.

Elliot said many of the offenders act under the influence of hard substances.

Also, Aro Moshood, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu constituency 2, urged Moshood Jimoh, Lagos commissioner of police, to deploy officers mainly for dedicated road monitoring.

“It is high time the government takes the bull by the horns,” the lawmaker said.

Adebola Shabi, lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland constituency 2, called on local government chairpersons to devise effective strategies to combat the menace.

He proposed the installation of CCTV cameras at identified black spots, while Obafemi Saheed, the lawmaker representing Kosofe constituency 2, urged the state government not to allow the trend to continue.