Lawmaker warns constituents to avoid unlawful acts
Security
By Raji Rasak
Badagry (Lagos State), April 20, 2020 (NAN) Mr Babatunde Hunpe, representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, on Monday urged his constituents not to mete out jungle justice while keeping vigil to ward off hoodlums in their area.
Hunpe, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry, also appealed to vigilance groups in the area to avoid burning tyres on the roads.
The lawmaker said he could feel the pains of the people, but urged them not to take laws into their hands while trying to protect themselves.
“My people, I know what you are passing through every night, coming out to protect your families and properties against hoodlums attack, which should be responsibility of our Police.
“I feel your pain now that everyone has turned to security men, forming vigilante groups to watch over your communities.
“Meanwhile, it is important that when we organise vigilante groups, we should ensure to report happenings in our community to the Police.
“We should not involve ourselves in jungle justice and should avoid burning of tyres on the roads, because this will do more damage to the roads.
“We should try and operate this group in accordance with the rule guiding it and try to caution the young blood among us who believe in blood for blood.
“If arrest is made during the night out, we should hand suspects to the police for prosecution and not take law into our hands,” he said.
Hunpe commiserated with a member of the community in Iya-Afin, who was recently attacked by hoodlums in his home.
The lawmaker prayed that such incident would not recur in Badagry.
He urged the Police to intensify investigation on the Iya-Afin attack and bring the perpetrators of the act to justice.
Hunpe also appealed to Police in Badagry Division to beef up security in the town and urged the people to cooperate with law enforcement agents.
The lawmaker urged his constituents to maintain social distancing and use face mask at night during the vigil.
“We should be mindful that compliance to COVID-19 safety measures is not only during the day; it must also be observed during the night.
“I pray that as we continue to make this sacrifice over our households every night, we shall overcome the scourge of COVID-19 in Nigeria,” Hunpe said. (NAN)
ROR/AOS/SOA
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Oluwole Sogunle