Yemisi Izuora/Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Lagos state government has deployed security operatives to Ikorodu to checkmate rising cases of pipeline vandalisation and other criminal activities.
The state government explained that the deployment of security operatives was part of the efforts to liberate residents from hoodlums, pipeline vandals and other undesirable elements who have continued to make the ancient town the base of their nefarious activities.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said after an emergency Security Council meeting, government took the decision to ensure that hoodlums terrorising the area, disturbing the peace in the town and making life unbearable for residents are curtailed.
According to Owoseni “The security surveillance would be carried out 24 hours throughout the week, because the activities of these hoodlums and the criminal elements in the area have become unacceptable and uncontrollable, hence government cannot fold its arms, but take necessary actions by deploying security operatives to the area.
“Government will not allow criminal elements in the state and we want to say that the immunity for the vandals is over, the arbitrarily and uncontrollable rape, vandalism and harassment is over”.
The commissioner however appealed to residents not to panic as they may witness or hear sporadic gun shots.
Speaking further Owoseni said “I want to assure you that innocent citizens will not be harassed or molested during the operations. It has become necessary to restrict the operations of tricycles and motorcycles (Okada) throughout the period of the onslaught so as to prevent the fleeing hoodlums from using them as get-away transport.”
The commissioner of police also explained that the restrictions on Okada and tricycle operations in the area would be total, urging residents to consider the inconvenience this may cause as a necessary sacrifice.
“Residents are advised to restrict their movement and be informed also that we are going to restrict the use of both motorcycle (Okada) and tricycles (Keke Marwa) in the area to ensure optimal and maximum performance for the operation”, Owoseni said.