Lagos, Nigeria: The robbery in Lagos in Lagos that took the lives of 3 policemen, 3 civilians and a young street hawker have caused a spat between the Lagos state government, Governor Raji Fashola and the Presidential media aide, Reuben Abati.
The Governor Fashola said that the robbery was only successful because the policemen had gone to protect the president who was coming to Lagos. The governor also claimed that robbery in Lagos had not been successful over a long time until now. He said what would be would have been, but it was said that all security vehicles that the state bought for the police was used in protecting one man, thereby making the citizens vulnerable.
The presidential media aide, Reuben Abati released a statement saying the governor speech was degrading. In his statement, Reuben Abati said :
We consider the statement attributed to Governor Fashola as grossly and utterly irresponsible. We expect that a man of his status who is the Governor of a state should speak more responsibly. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever that the entire police formation in a state would be deployed to protect the president of Nigeria. The visit of the President or any part of the country does not necessitate the depletion of the police force active in that particular state or its environment. The President has a defined team that protects him anywhere he goes and again President Jonathan does not need the entire police force to protect him in a state where he is loved by the people and where as we have seen, he enjoys overwhelming support to the leadup of the 2015 presidential election" he said.
Doy News