PH
The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) a socio-cultural organisation, has called on the Lagos State Government to constitute a judicial enquiry into the ethnic clashes that engulfed Mile 12 recently.
The skirmishes left four people dead and properties worth millions of Naira was destroyed in the area last week.
ARG Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, said the government could not rely solely on police investigation of the crisis because the police’s approach allegedly lacked objectivity and was biased.
“In our view therefore, only a judicial enquiry can produce the kind of recommendations and shift-change that will engender peaceful and sustainable cohabitation in that area of the state,” Famoriyo said.
The official claimed ARG was aware of several attempts to downplay the incident through conciliatory approaches aimed at getting victims to “move-on.”
“ARG notes that Nigeria’s history is replete with several of such ‘move-ons’ and that is why such calamities are recurring.
“A different approach is needed so that we stop planting evil seeds that will germinate into abominable trees in the nearest future.”
ARG therefore called on Lagos to constitute a judicial panel to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the mayhem.
“ARG also notes that Lagos State’s regulatory policy on Okada as a means of commercial transportation is not implementable and therefore calls for a total ban of motorcycle as a means of transportation in the state,” Famoriyo said.
More than 100 suspects were arrested after the mayhem but 32 have been charged with public violence.
They have secured bail to the tune of N200 000 each.
The trial resumes on April 7.
The market remains closed.
