The Olu of Ibasa, Ijegun-Egba Land in Satellite Town Lagos State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Afeez Oriyomi Shittu, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi to pay attention to insecurity and cult killings in the communities.
The monarch disclosed this at a joint traditional meeting and press briefing at the Kabiyesi’s palace on Thursday, November 17.
The Kabiyesi, who was represented by Baale of Ibasa, Ijegun-Egba Land, Chief Olanimodi Oni Abayomi, alleged that the deadly groups over the years engaged in killing, raping, and robbing of innocent residents both day and night.
According to the monarch, many have in the past years fled from their houses in different locations across the community for safety due to this group’s frequent attacks.
“We gathered here this morning for a purpose which is the security of lives and property. We are appealing to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Lagos State Government and our Local Government here, Amuwo-Odofin/Oriade including the Police and other security agencies concerning the aspect of insecurity in the above communities.
He said the residents have been troubled by the deadly activities of cultists, hoodlums, area boys and thieves across the different locations in the communities to the extent that nobody can sleep with two eyes closed.
“Worried about these unpleasant experiences, the residents made very strong steps when Oba Shittu ascended the throne two years ago. It yielded positively with the assistance of Lagos Police Command to arrest some of these gangs. Some of them are still in Police net for investigation and interrogation.”
The traditional ruler said the rumour going around that some people suspected to be their godfathers are lobbying for the release of these hoodlums and cultists without prosecution.
“We heard a rumour going underneath that some powerful people are lobbying for the release of these hoodlums and cultists without trial. These are the people that have caused havoc in the communities. We thanked God that some of them have been apprehended and those in the custody should not be released because their return to the community will be very brutal, they will continue with their attack if they are eventually released without proper trial.
“We are appealing to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Local Government Chairman, Police and other NSCDC and security agencies to assist the residents to apprehend these gangs in their hideouts. They have many jungles across the communities where they smoke both hemps, and drugs and perpetrated their heinous crimes in the night,” he added.
The monarch said all the traditional chiefs, Community Development Association (CDA), Community Development Committee (CDC), Community Youths Association (CYA) and local guards have been mandated to collaborate with security agencies to provide useful information that will guarantee the arrest of these gangs wherever they are hiding.