Security: Sanwo-Olu mulls amnesty for cultists, kidnappers, others

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday said plans are afoot by the state government to introduce an amnesty for cultists and other criminals in the state to enable them to repent and submit weapons in their possession before the end of the year.

The governor, who expressed displeasure with the growing traffic congestion, among others, said that law enforcement agencies in the state would aggressively pursue arrests and forfeiture vehicles and motorcycles which flouted the state traffic law.

Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed while speaking after the Security Council meetings with all security chiefs, assuring that Nigeria Police would be working with LASTMA and public workers on road construction to ensure that there was a free flow of traffic in and around the construction site.

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“There is a programme coming up hopefully before the end of the year to provide amnesty for cultists and people with criminal tendencies.  The Security Council believes we can open up a period of amnesty for them. We want them to come forward to turn a new leave. I don’t want to use the word rehabilitate,” he said.

The governor also allayed fear over activities of the Crocodile Smile 4 led by the Nigerian Army, saying there was nothing to worry about for law-abiding citizens of the state.

According to him, the exercise is part of ensuring that the state is secured and safe, even as he insisted that traffic law enforcement would be aggressively carried out in the coming day.

“Our Executive Order on oneway. We will continue to aggressively pursue forfeiture and arrest of Okada and vehicles. Okada is restricted to some areas and they must maintain such. Okada is not allowed to ply where they are not allowed to ply.

“We have also noticed articulated vehicles, container trucks parking under the bridges, particularly those parking under power lines. During this period of festivities, the Nigeria Police are seeking people to come and seek permission for street parades and carnivals for the end of the year. We also hereby inform you that criminals are around Atlas Cove and Jetty. We are also monitoring pipeline vandalism,” the governor said.

He appealed to the CDAs and CDCs on gate closure, saying the state government wanted them open during the day and ensure that they were manned at night, just as he warned that affected gated might be removed if found under lock and key.

“We want to keep all the gates open during the day and ensure that they are manned at night. If they are found under lock and key, notices will be given to them and thereafter such gates will be removed.”