.. Rights activists call for justice
By Bose Adelaja
CITIZENS COMPASS —A 12-year-old student of Adamu Yakubu Memorial High School, Iloro, Cement ,Agege Lagos State, Aminat Alage, is currently battling with her life after she was hit by canisters allegedly fired by men of Alabode Police Station when two neighbouring schools in Lagos were embroiled in a fight.
Some right activists have since condemned the incident calling on Lagos State Police Command for justice.
A member of Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Seyi A of Metro Unit, Ikeja, is currently crying for justice over the incident.
According to him, the incident occurred while some policemen were responding to distress calls from the School.
In a letter titled, “Request for urgent intervention to save the life of 12 – year-old school girl who was a victim of Police recklessness, “ he called on stakeholders to support the ailing student.
“We are calling for Support of CDHR to Come to the Rescue of the Parent of Aminat Alage, a Student JSS 3 Adam Yakubu Memorial High School, Iloro, Cement ,Agege Lagos.
“Eyewitnesses’ report was that she was shot while entering the mosque situated next to the school compound after school hours to join her parent to observe Jumat service on Friday, 9th of February, 2024.
“It was reported that some secondary school students of Iloro Secondary School were fighting themselves prompting some of them to alert the Alabode Police Station about the matter and some policemen were deployed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Sefiat AKeem.
“Upon arrival at the School gate, the policemen started firing teargas indiscriminately which hit Aminat on the left eye and she was rushed to the Ile-epo General Hospital where she was rejected and referred to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital ,Ikeja, where the sum of N2,000,000 was requested for immediate surgery.
A trending video captured Amina on her sick bed bleeding as she writhed in pain.
Of the said amount, it was learned that the police station were able to drop N50, 000
“We are calling on Lagosians and CDHR members to come to the rescue of the family and protect the rights of their 12-year- old girl. “
Lagos Assembly intervenes
The Lagos State House of Assembly has issued a statement calling on the state government to support the girl.
The Assembly disclosed this in a statement signed by Eromosele Ebhomele, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mudasiru Obasa.
It reads, #The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, urged the government to support Amina Alege, a 12-year-old student of the Adam Yakubu Memorial High School in Lagos State, who suffered an eye injury after she was allegedly tear-gassed by the police.
“The incident occurred on Friday, February 9, 2024, in front of a mosque near Adam Yakubu Memorial High School in Iloro, Cement, Agege, Lagos.
“The House called on the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, and the ministry ,to offer necessary support to the young girl, who is billed for surgery.
“The matter was brought to the attention of the House by Hon. Abiodun Orekoya, chairman of the House Committee on Sports and Youth Development during a plenary session on Thursday presided over by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda on behalf of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
“Orekoya said he received the information through a human rights organisation, adding that the incident happened when two schools were embroiled in a clash and the police intervened with tear-gas.
“He said the student’s parents have been borrowing money to pay for her treatment and that she is currently admitted to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
“Orekoya pleaded with the House to call on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to offer support to the parents and help save Amina’s life before the situation worsens.
“Supporting Orekoya’s appeal, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2) emphasised that since the student attends a government-owned school, it was necessary for the Governor to step in.
“Joseph further requested that the House investigate the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“Deputy Speaker Meranda directed the Chairman of the House Committee on Education (Secondary) to summon the management of both schools involved in the clash and investigate what led to the clash.
“They are expected to report back within one week.”
At press time, calls put to the cell phones of spokesman, Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin were unattended to.
