The Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) said last Friday that it has arrested two persons in connection with the recent gruesome murder of its Lagos Zonal Head; Mr. Surajudeen Bakare in Apapa Lagos.
The news coincided with the condolence visit to the family of the deceased LASTMA official by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, also on Friday.
Addressing newsmen at the residence of Bakare during the NPA MD condolence visit, Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Chris Olakpe disclosed that the Lagos State Police have arrested two of the hoodlums in connection with the death of Mr. Bakare even as he assured that the manhunt is being extended for other accomplices in the gruesome murder.
Speaking at the condolence visit, the NPA MD noted that, as the landlord of the port, it was important for it to visit the family of the deceased official and show empathy. She also seized the opportunity to commiserate with the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Fatima Bakare, and also give an undisclosed amount.
“We felt the need to extend our condolence to the LASTMA official that died in active duty, he was on active duty around Apapa port area, so as the landlord of the port, we felt the need to come and extend our condolence”
“It's important that we show empathy, we enjoined the Police to ensure that justice is done, nobody should be killed in the manner this young man was killed, it is unacceptable in the society”
“I am encouraging the Lagos State Government and the Police at large to ensure that these miscreants are brought to book, we cannot accept these behaviours in our society, it would discourage other officers from actively doing their duty”, she stated.
Ms Usman also assured that security around the port would be beefed up in order to send a strong message to hoodlums operating around the port area. She reiterated that the Government will not accept such behaviour.
A tearful widow of the deceased LASTMA official, Mrs. Fatima Bakare appreciated the NPA, saying that “it is painful that I am receiving this after my husband’s death, I only know the worth of my husband after his death”.
On his part, LASTMA boss; Mr Olakpe commended the NPA Managing Director for deeming it fit to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased. He described the NPA as “a wonderful and Godly authority and we pray God will reward them”.
He recounted that the deceased LASTMA official was on an official duty in Apapa area of Lagos when he was lynched and beaten to death. He assured that the agency in partnership with the Lagos State Police are doing everything to get to the root of the matter.
“The incident was most unfortunate because the LASTMA officers were rendering their usual service to the state and the nation at large, and some unfortunate elements gruesomely murdered our official during his official duty, we have sworn that we must get to the bottom of it, the government of Lagos has empowered the police to get to the root of it and we are glad that today, two arrests have been made of the miscreants”
“But let it be a warning to members of the public that this kind of attitude would no longer be tolerated and anybody caught in it, the long hand of the law would get them” he assured.
The LASTMA Chief Executive urged Lagosians to stop bitterness and support LASTMA in its operations.
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