Says, “We Will Stamp Criminal Activities Completely From Our State”
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has described the kidnap of the Oniba of Iba land, Oba Goriola Oseni as a sacrilege, saying that those arrested with the kidnap of the monarch would be punished severely.
Speaking at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria where they were paraded on Sunday, Ambode said the kidnap of an Oba in Yorubaland is a sacrilege and a complete desecration of the cultural values of the Yoruba people that must not go unpunished.
Ambode, whose speech was read by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Adenij Kazeem, said the Oba was released in good health and had been reunited with his family.
“Permit me to state that the kidnap of an Oba in Yoruba land is a sacrilege and a complete discretion of the cultural values of the Yoruba people that must not go unpunished.
“The arrest of the suspect is a clear warning to criminal elements that we value and cherish our Yoruba tradition and will leave nothing to chance to ensure that it is protected from violation by those who have desecrated our values,” he said.
He also commended the ongoing ‘Operation Awatse’ designed to flush out militants and criminals that have been terrorizing riverine communities in the state. “This operation is yielding desirable results and will continue until those criminal activities are completely stamped out.”
The governor urged the public to continue to be vigilant and take advantage of the 112 and 767 fee-toll lines to alert security agencies of any suspicious actions in their areas, assuring that the government would continue to support security agencies to ensure that Lagosians continued to remain safe and secure.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni refused to disclosed whether ransom was given or not, but noted that it was the pressure mounted on the kidnappers that led to the release of the monarch, adding that the important thing was that the oba had been reintegrated with his family and in good condition.
“He is hale and hearty. He is very strong and there is nothing wrong with him. The state government did a lot to ensure his rescue as they worked hard to get the oba liberated,” he said.
He said investigation was still on to arrest the other kidnappers, saying that criminals would be hunted and punished severely in Lagos State.
Owoseni debunked insinuations that criminals were having field day in Lagos, noting that no society was ever free of crime, citing the case of America and France where terrorists had launched major attacks.
Posted by pmnews on August 7, 2016, 4:40 pm. Filed under Metro, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
