Lagos PDP Denounces Excessive Actions by Lagos State Law Enforcement Authorities

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned what it called the excessive actions of the Lagos State Law Enforcement Authorities.

According to the PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Hakeem Amode, dated September 10, 2023, "while it is unquestionably the responsibility of law enforcement agencies and officers to uphold law and order in society, it is imperative that these individuals do not overstep their bounds in the execution of their duties."

The party added that as "the Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), we stand in solidarity with the residents of our state in calling for a restraint on the excesses exhibited by various law enforcement agencies operating within our region."

Amode said that "regrettably, there have been recurrent incidents of unwarranted harassment of innocent members of the public by certain agents of the Lagos State Government. These instances, under the guise of maintaining law and order, have, in some cases, tragically resulted in the loss of innocent lives.

"Recently, there was a distressing report of an officer from the Lagos State Task Force fatally shooting a truck driver in the Mile 2 area, where they were deployed to maintain order. Such acts are not justifiable; they are uncivilized, barbaric, and indefensible."

He then said that the question arises: "How can the use of lethal force be justified in the name of restoring order to our roads? Such actions are unacceptable and run counter to the principles of a democratic government.

"Additionally, a video has surfaced depicting a woman whose vehicle was immobilized in front of a supermarket in the Allen Avenue area by law enforcement officers, despite her not obstructing traffic or causing any disturbance."

The Publicity Secretary noted that while the government may attempt to claim ignorance or shield its agents from accountability, the truth cannot remain concealed indefinitely.

He stressed that one must ponder why the state government would oppose the very people who entrusted them with their votes in the first place.

"In other parts of the world, government agents are held accountable to the rule of law when interacting with citizens. We are not advocating for disorder; rather, we demand that justice and fairness prevail at all times.

"How can one defend an officer's action in shooting an unarmed driver or immobilizing a vehicle parked in a supermarket's car park?

"These incidents, coupled with the excesses of the agency responsible for traffic control in the state, have led many residents to call for the dissolution of said agency.

"We challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to demonstrate that they are indeed a government of the people by addressing the unjust treatment of innocent residents in the state.

"It is perplexing that our state is burdened with numerous government agencies causing disruptions when we are not under military rule," the statement read.

The party then urged the state government to instruct its law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and treat citizens with respect. 

These very individuals, Amode said, are the ones who endure exploitation at the hands of state security agencies.

"In a democratic setting, this is not the way to govern a state. We sincerely hope the state government will heed this call and rectify any shortcomings, for one cannot have their cake and eat it too.

"The residents of our state already face significant challenges stemming from the removal of fuel subsidies by the APC-led Federal Government, among other policy changes since 2015. 

"These events have made the perceived errors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led federal government from 1999 to 2015 appear trivial by comparison.

"We declare that enough is enough in the center of excellence," Amode said.