By Ajibola Olaide, JKNMedia Reporter
GOVERNOR DAPO Abiodun of Ogun State has issued a stern warning to criminals, vowing to use every available means to drive them out of the state.
He made this declaration on Tuesday while commending the officers and men of the State Police Command who successfully rescued a Nigerian and three Indian nationals kidnapped along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.
Governor Abiodun praised the police for their bravery and quick action in rescuing the victims and emphasized that his administration has implemented measures to make Ogun State inhospitable for criminal activities.
He acknowledged the efforts of the police, who corrected the initial report of over 20 kidnappings, clarifying that only four people were kidnapped.
A few days later, the State Police Command tracked down and neutralized the kidnappers through various creative and ingenious methods.
Abiodun warned that Ogun State is a no-go area for criminals and assured that his administration would relentlessly pursue and eliminate any threats to the state’s security.
He also highlighted the importance of peace and security for attracting investors and ensuring the safety of residents and noted that Ogun State’s status as Nigeria’s industrial capital necessitates a zero-tolerance approach to any disruptions in peace and security.
He also mentioned that his administration’s support for law enforcement has been recognized with the recent ‘Governor of the Year in State Security’ award.
The Governor expressed his gratitude to the police for their achievements and assured continued support for their efforts and personally thanked the officers involved in the rescue operation, emphasizing the importance of their work for the safety and peace of the state.
Governor Abiodun also addressed the poor condition of certain roads, which have been exploited by criminals and discussed the issue with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who directed the Minister of Works to repair the affected sections of the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway.
State Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alamutu introduced the officers who participated in the operation and detailed the fierce gun battle with the kidnappers.
The police recovered five AK-47 rifles, 109 rounds of ammunition, eight AK-47 magazines, and two cell phones from the scene.
Alamutu reiterated the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state, thanking the state government for its support.
Order Completion of Projects
In related developments, Governor Abiodun ordered the completion of the Denro-Ishashi-Akute road project within two weeks.
He assured residents that work on the Alagbole-Ajuwon and Akute-Ajuwon roads would begin soon, along with other infrastructure projects in Ifo Local Government Area.
Governor Abiodun emphasized his administration’s commitment to equitable infrastructure development across the state and noted that road construction has been evenly spread across all 20 local governments in Ogun State.
He pledged to complete the Denro-Ishashi-Akute road within two to three weeks and to start active construction on the Alagbole-Ajuwon and Akute-Ajuwon roads.
During an on-the-spot assessment, Governor Abiodun promised to build a new Primary Health Care Centre in the area, highlighting his administration’s efforts to address the infrastructure deficit inherited from previous administrations. He criticized the previous administration for abandoning projects and assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritize the needs of the people.
Governor Abiodun also cited the Agbara-Atan-Lusada road as an example of his administration’s prioritization of critical infrastructure and noted that his administration has constructed 600 kilometers of highways, inter-state, intra-state, and inner-city roads, ensuring that every local government in Ogun State has benefited from at least one road project.
The governor also called on the media to report not only on negative stories but also on the achievements of his administration, particularly the extensive road construction efforts that have transformed the state’s infrastructure.
