Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
Following a resurgence of criminal activity along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the police commands in Oyo and Ogun States have increased security along the route.
According to Track News, there have been repeated reports of kidnappings and other security issues along the 131-kilometer road.
SP Adewale Osifeso, the Oyo state police spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday that Commissioner of Police Adebowale Williams had vowed to rid the area of undesirable criminal elements.
On Thursday, Williams and his Ogun state counterpart, Lanre Bankole, conducted a strategic assessment patrol along the highway and deployed personnel and assets to prevent further attacks.
He added that both commands have restructured the security apparatus around the Lagos-Sagamu-Sapade-Onigari axis.
“The security architecture of both commands was also purposefully redesigned with cooperation from neighboring state police commands in order to deal decisively with criminal elements.”
“Whose mindset is to use both states as criminal hideouts after being dislodged.”
He advised the citizens of the states not to panic due to the increased presence of security personnel and equipment in the area.
The spokesman stated that there would be joint intelligence-led surveillance, aggressive patrols, forest combing with local hunters and vigilante members, and other permanent visibility policing measures.
He urged the public to provide police with timely and credible information on suspected criminals in their midst.
Iba Gani Abiodun Adams, the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, has urged governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) to allow the newly inaugurated Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) Dependable Team and the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) to flush out those he described as criminal elements from
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, Aare Adams expressed concern about the ongoing attacks on road travelers.
“There has been an unusual increase in kidnappings along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.” According to the information I have, there has been an increase in the number of terrorists and kidnappers hiding in Sapade, a town 62 kilometers from Ibadan.
“Kidnappers are now having a field day, despite the fact that the police were unable to help the situation.”
“The situation is getting out of hand, and I believe it is now time for the three governors of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos to allow us to flush the bandits out of their hiding place,” he said.
