….as Olubadan summons family heads, others to meeting.
By Oladele Ogunsola
Following the breach of the peace in some areas of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Sunday by some yet to be identified hoodlums, who engaged in arson and looting and subjected the residents of the areas to agony, the state governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi has called on politicians in the state not to give political interpretation to the ugly matter.
Asking politicians not to politicize the activities of the hoodlums, who are bent on creating hardship for the people, the governor said they should rather join hands with the government to condemn their activities and provide useful information to the law enforcement agents to nip the situation in the bud.
The governor, who made this charge on Monday was on an on-the-spot inspection visit to Idi Arere, Asaka and Oja’gbo areas of Ibadan; the locations of the mayhem in the company of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Odude and his men as well as senior government officials.
During the visit, the governor mandated the Oyo State Police Command to fish out the perpetrators of mayhem at different locations in the state and asked that anyone arrested should be treated like a hardened criminal.
Moved by the extent of damage done in the affected areas and the hardship the residents were subjected, the governor promised that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) would do the assessment of the loss in order for government to help the victims.
Represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo, the governor stated that government would not fold its hands and allow some miscreants to truncate the peace, security and safety restored to Oyo State in the past seven years, warning that stiff measures will be meted to all those who cause mayhem and wreak havoc in the state.
The Governor said, “One of the cardinal programmes of this administration is securing the lives and properties of the citizens and we will leave no stone unturned to see that peace and security is sustained. These hoodlums are humane, callous and barbaric and they should be treated as such. The State Government will do all within its reach to ameliorate the pains of the affected persons and the perpetrators of this evil act will be brought to book in due course.
“We want to appeal to our citizens to be vigilant and provide useful information to the law enforcement agents. Also, our parents should take care of their wards and warn them against being the agents of destruction. The government will not hesitate to enforce its power on whoever is bent on causing crisis in the state,” Governor Ajimobi added.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr. Abiodun Odude urged the people to show understanding during the response of the men of the force to distress call, stating that the police need more intelligence to get its work done.
Odude disclosed that 11 people had been arrested in connection with the Idi Arere mayhem, urging the people not to hesitate in feeding security agencies adequate information which will lead to the quick arrest of the hoodlums involved in the mayhem.
Meanwhile, Olubadan, said to be worried by persistent cases of arson and looting in some areas in Ibadan has summoned an emergency meeting of all family heads in the areas concerned to his palace at Popoyemoja, Ibadan at 12.00 noon on Tuesday.
The Mogaji and Baale expected at the palace on Tuesday including those whose family compounds fall within Oja’gbo, Beyerunka, Labiran, Idi Arere/Asuni, Asaka, Isale Osi, Oopo Yeosa and Olorisa Oko areas of Ibadan.
In a statement made available to the media by the Personal Assistant/Director of Media and Publicity to the monarch, Mr. Adeola Oloko, Oba Adetunji gave the hint of his proposed emergency meeting with family heads of the affected areas while receiving members of the National Council of Muslim Youths, NACOMYO led by Sheikh Daud Afolabi to his palace on Sunday.
According to the first class monarch, the nefarious activities of the street urchins in some areas in Ibadan was becoming worrisome in recent times and the need to contain it through collective effort had become imperative. Oba Adetunji who sympathized with the victims of arson and looting noted that the security of lives and properties is not only the responsibility of law enforcement agents but of all and sundry.
He also reasoned that as the 2019 general elections are fast approaching, it is important for all family heads in Ibadan who notice anything strange to promptly report the matter to the police for appropriate action, particularly those who have formed the habit of tearing other candidates’ posters and banners to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Responding, the coordinator of NACOMYO, Daud Afolabi hailed Olubadan for the integrity that he has brought to bear in his official conduct. He stated further that NACOMYO would continue to pray for the monarch to live long in peace. They later prayed for peace and stability of Oyo State in particular and Nigeria in general as the 2019 general elections draws near.
