Gov Ambode inspects communities in Ikorodu LCDA, orders security forces to clampdown on criminals.

Gov Ambode inspects communities
in Ikorodu LCDA, orders security forces to
clampdown on criminals.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered
security agencies to apply appropriate force to clampdown on
criminals, pipeline vandals, miscreants and cultists disturbing the
peace of residents in the state.
The Governor who spoke on Tuesday, February 16, during a
security inspection tour of Owutu, Ishawo, Oke Oko and other
adjoining communities in Ikorodu West Local Council Development
Area (LCDA) of the state, also warned criminals to stay off the
streets of Lagos, saying that his government will stop at nothing
to ensure the restoration of peace in the area, which had
hitherto being disturbed by the activities of vandals and
miscreants.
It would be recalled that the abduction of seven Department of
State Security (DSS) operatives in the area sometime in October
last year and other criminal activities of vandals necessitated
Governor Ambode to request for a military/security operation in
the area code named ‘Operation Awatse’
The Governor not only requested for the operation, but also
briefed the President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the Chief of
Defence Staff on the criminality going on in the area, after
which they approved the military operation.
Thus, the visit by the Governor, who supported the military
operation monetarily, was a follow up to boost the morale of the
security forces and then see the possibility of opening up the
road as a permanent solution to dislodging all criminal activities
in that axis.
The Governor, who made a brief stop at the Little Palace Hotel,
where vandals once used to plan and execute their criminal
activities before it was taken over by a combined force of the
Nigeria Army, Navy, Airforce, the DSS and the Police under the
code name, ‘Operation Awatse’, expressed deep regret over the
loss of three officers of the operation, assuring that his
administration will give the force the necessary support to wage
war against the vandals.
"I also want to commiserate with our security agencies
most especially the Nigerian Navy for the loss of three
men last week. I like to use this as a platform to give a
very strong warning to vandals and even cultists that are
parading themselves on the street of Lagos.
"Just recently, we heard that the fingers of some of our
men in the Task Force were chopped off by some
hoodlums so to speak. I'm using this platform also to direct
our security forces that they should go ahead to use
appropriate force in mitigating against such incidences
next time and this is in the overall interest of all of us.
While we make sure that we are upholding the rule of law.
We would not fold our arms and allow some miscreants to
disturb the peace of Lagos.
"If we sit down in our office, we would not be able to
appreciate the extent of the problem here. People here
have been living in fear in the past. We want permanent
peace in the area and that is why we are coming after
the vandals and criminals. Let me use this opportunity to
warn criminals to get off the streets of Lagos and get off
the creeks," he said.
The Governor while appreciating the officers whose presence in
the area had reduced the activities of the vandals and hoodlums
terrorising residents, said he will ensure that all necessary
apparatus and welfare for the officers is made available to
boost their morale in the line of duty.
"I have come here personally with the heads of security
agencies in Lagos State and the Security Council
members to firstly appreciate the work of security
agencies that have been posted here since last October
and to also commend you for the improvement we have
made since the time that you commenced operation here.
“We like to reiterate once again our full commitment to
support security agencies in eradicating vandalism and all
sorts of vices from the street of Lagos. Beyond the fact
that we are supporting the Nigerian Police, we are also
now more than ever committed to support all the other
security agencies in ensuring that they carry out their
work more efficiently. So, my presence today
underscores that fact that we all have to join hands
together to ensure that the ugly scenes like this will not
repeat itself," he said.
Earlier, Lt Col. Julius Ogbobe, Commanding Officer of the
Operation Awatse, who briefed the Governor and his entourage
on the operational base of his squad, said they dislodged the
vandals from the Little Palace Hotel on October 10, 2015, which
has since led to the recovery of over 2000 by 50 litres gallon of
illegal products, 36 vehicles while 15 suspects were also arrested
and handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC) for prosecution.
"Your Excellency, seeing you here in our midst will further
serve as a boost to our moral and also give us hope that
government will give us all that it takes and the support to
go after the vandals in and within Arepo and the general
areas of the Operation Awatse", Ogbobe said.
The Governor who also drove several kilometres to inspect the
state of the road, said the plan of government is to link up the
community with Arepo and Kara, expressing optimism that if the
road network is accessible, it would go a long way to reduce the
activities of vandals in the area.
He therefore promised to champion collaboration for the
construction of a link bridge among Lagos, Ogun and the Nigeria
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to ensure that Ishawo,
Oke Oko communities is linked to Kara and Arepo via the creek.
Addressing community leaders and residents at a brief town hall
meeting, said although his visit to the area was to access the
security situation, he also took note of the need to open up the
community so as to curtail the activities of pipeline vandals to the
bearest minimum.
The Governor was also concerned about the complains of the
residents on the lack of schools, healthcare centres and public
infrastructure in the community and promised to build a new
primary and secondary school in the area as well as provide a
well equipped primary healthcare centre.