Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered an investigation into Sunday’s attack on a bus conveying journalists on Lagos Island.
This was contained in a statement by the Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Monday.
The journalists were attacked between Ebute-Ero and Adeniji, Iga-Iduganran, during the All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate Bola Tinubu’s visit to the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu on Sunday.
At least, two people were injured while the vehicle conveying the journalist was vandalised.
The statement read in part, “Sanwo-Olu has directed also that those involved must be fished out and made to face the law. Besides, the government will pick up the hospital bills of those injured in the incident.
“Lagos State Government condemns the incident. We hold the media in high esteem and the government has always ensured that they have a conducive environment to perform their duties.
“Nobody or group will be allowed to destroy our cordial relationship with the media. Lagos has no room for hooligans.”
Earlier, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, condemned in totality the reported attack on journalists by some hoodlums and criminal elements in the state on Sunday.
Chairman of the Lagos chapter of NUJ, Adeleye Ajayi, expressed displeasure at the attack, describing it as “dastardly, barbaric, wicked and the height of lawlessness.”
Tinubu’s convoy was attacked by hoodlums during his visit to the Oba of Lagos.
The incident occurred on Sunday as the convoy drove from the palace at the Adeniji end of Isale Eko.
The hoodlums, some of whom were armed with cutlasses, threw stones and other weapons which smashed side glasses and front windshields of vehicles which conveyed journalists and the security car on the convoy.
One of the injured reporters, Adeola Ogunrinde, said that many of her colleagues who sustained injuries in the attack have received medical treatment.
She said, “It happened at the Oba’s palace. The thugs armed with cutlasses attacked the convoy and our bus was on the tail end of the convoy and shattered its windows with stones. I was seated beside the window and some of the broken glass entered my eye.
“Our bus was damaged, so most of us sustained various injuries on our bodies. One of us even had his phone stolen. It was a terrible experience. We have been given medical attention and tomorrow I will be at the hospital.”
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, was returning to his home state for the first time after he clinched the APC presidential ticket
As reorted by NAN, thousands of APC supporters and leaders on Sunday stormed the Presidential Wing of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, to welcome the party’s presidential candidate.
He had defeated 13 other aspirants, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to clinch the APC ticket for the 2023 presidential election.
He polled 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rival, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who got 316 votes at the party’s Special National Convention held from June 6 to 8 in Abuja.
Meanwhile, thousands of APC loyalists trooped out and gathered in various groups in and around the airport to receive their leader.
Some of the personalities waiting to receive the former governor at the airport were Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo; Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; APC Lagos State party Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi; former Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; party leaders, local government area chairmen across the state and traditional rulers among others
Presidential candidate of @OfficialAPCNg @officialABAT arrives Lagos to a huge and jubilant crowd of supporters.#Abat2023 pic.twitter.com/7J5D0a98em
— Gboyega Akosile (@gboyegaakosile) June 19, 2022
Traditional singers and dancers were at the airport entertaining the people while awaiting Mr Tinubu.
The supporters were seen displaying unique cultural heritage of Lagos such as Eyo Masquerade and other masquerades among others.
Tinubu had, after winning the presidential ticket, paid visits to most of the aspirants who contested against him at the primary election to solicit their support in his quest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Some aspirants had donated their campaign offices for the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (ABAT) campaign in the course of visiting them to ensure that the party remained united after the primaries.
He will be slugging it out in 2023 with other presidential candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party, Ex Governor Peter Obi of Anambra; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Rabiu Kwakwanso among others.
Tinubu, had expressed his appreciation for the support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat; and the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu.
He spoke on Sunday during his visit to the monarch on arrival in Lagos after clinching the APC presidential ticket for the 2023 general elections.
Also,he urged the local government councillors and chairmen to mobilise people to vote during the upcoming 2023 general elections.
He said, “I want to say an open thank you to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for their hard work and loyalty. Without a strong backup, you can’t have a successful leader and you cannot leave your home or office. I thank God for Lagos and the process of decision that brought these two men to lead the state. It feels happy to be back home.
“If you want to benefit from a president, you have to vote for him. It is our turn and this is not a joking matter, it is a matter of prayer and action. My charge goes to all the local government councillors and chairmen who have been working hard towards the development of the state, as it is now, we will use the votes delivered and those who registered to grade you.
“You can see how Ekiti State was filled with voters and the APC won, I pray God will help you achieve the same, to mobilise the people to vote.”
Akiolu commended Tinubu’s zeal and prayed for his victory at the presidential election.
“Most people might tell you what he wants to hear, but I am not one of them. Tinubu has the support of the people and I always urge Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Hamzat to also work hard and God will continue to be with them.
“We are about to start a new journey now, and it will be beneficial. I want to tell all the youths that this administration will get them full employment and all will be well with all of us,” he said.
The Punch / NAN
