Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Monday read the riot act to criminals to stay away from the state or be smoked out.
The governor who equally declared that his administration would not hesitate to come down heavily on sponsors of crimes and criminals, said the security apparatus in the state would be strengthened to ensure security of lives and property.
Abiodun spoke in his Oke Mosan, Abeokuta office at the end of a security meeting he held with the Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama, and the atate Director of the Department of Security Service (DSS), David Tukfa.
The governor observed that recent incidents of kidnappings and banditry in the state were a test of his administration’s resolve and demonstration in clear terms, its strong commitment to ensure a secure Ogun, reiterating that no criminal would find a safe haven in the state.
He, however, warned landlords and property owners in the state not to allow their properties be used as hideouts for criminals, declaring any property or facility found to be serving as hideout to criminals will not only be taken over by the state, but will also be demolished.
Abiodun added that landlords found culpable would also be arrested and handed over for prosecution for harbouring criminals and would also be considered and treated as accomplices.
The governor disclosed that the Ogun State Security Trust Funds would be reorganised to comprise of key stakeholders alongside government officials and longstanding retired law enforcement officers in the state.
“Let me state in clear terms that no part of Ogun State will be a safe haven for criminals and criminality in whatever form, whether on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Sagamu-Benin-Ore Expressway, Abeokuta-Sango Expressway or even our township roads and inter-state roads; we shall smoke them out; we shall arrest them and we shall hand them over to the swift hands of justice.
“Let me use this opportunity to sound this very strong note of warning to our landlords and any property owner, that any property or facility found to be serving as a hideout to criminals would not only be taken over by the state, but we will demolish it. The landlords will also be arrested and handed over for prosecution for harbouring criminals; we will consider and treat them as accomplices.
“We are working torwards strengthening our security apparatus in the state. We are reorganising the Ogun State Security Trust Funds and it will comprise key stakeholders alongside government officials and some of our longstanding retired law enforcement officers.
“We will be re-launching the State Security Trust Fund. We will ensure that it has the right cooperate governance so that it can provide the required funding for our law enforcement agencies,” Abiodun stated.
While saying that the southwest zonal security initiative, which according to him, will also have a wholesome crime fighting apparatus would be unfolded in the next couple of weeks, Abiodun commended the leadership of security agencies for their commitment, dedication, professionalism and gallantry which have contributed in no small measure to the continuous peace and security that Ogun has enjoyed.