Acting Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, has reiterated that the current administration under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde would continue to protect its various communities in the state and ensure that no man is oppressed, irrespective of his ethnic background.
Declaring this on Thursday when he paid on the spot assessment visit to the Gbenpakan Village Saki West Local Government where drastic attack was unleashed by unknown criminal elements on some Fulani Settlers and Yoruba on Tuesday night, the Acting Governor noted that Oyo Government is for everybody and as such, won’t allow crimes or criminality to take root in Oyo state.
He emphasised that the Oyo government is extremely hurt by the destruction caused by the criminals, which has resulted in the loss of lives in the community, adding that the incident shall be investigate while the perpetrators shall face the wrath of the law.
Barr. Lawal, who had earlier met with Yoruba community after a roughly 3 hours journey from Saki town to the Gbenpakan Village, said that Oyo government is not discriminating against any tribe, but discriminating only against criminals.
Noting that Governor Makinde administration is committed to the security of lives and properties in the state, he added that the government will not also take it lightly with anyone causing trouble.
According to Barr. Lawal, the purpose of this visit is to give assurances to our people that it’s one Nigeria and people are free to live in peace and carry out their businesses peacefully.
The Acting Governor who also met with the Fulani settlers, however condemned the incident perpetrated by the unknown assailants. He pledged that the state government would ensure that the affected people are catered for immediately with necessary relief materials.
He assured the family of the victims that such dreadful attack would not occur again as security operatives had already began thorough investigation on the matters, just as he sued for peaceful coexistence among the communities in the zone.
He said: “Two days ago, we lost lives as a result of cowardly attack by criminal elements. This is Oyo state, we are not looking for this type of incident. So it caught us by surprise and we deemed it fit to pay a visit to these people to condone with them and give assurances that things of this nature must never happen again.
“Only yesterday, the commissioner of police paid a visit to assess the situation and we have seen that some people actually invaded this hamlet and carry out this dastardly action. Investigation are ongoing but the purpose of this visit is to give assurances to our people that it’s one Nigeria and people are free to live in peace and carry out their businesses peacefully.
“Oyo state as you know, we are not discriminating against any tribe, but discriminating only against criminals. And we will not allow crime and criminality to take root in any part of Oyo state. That is the message and it’s clear.
“So, this one we would investigate to the deep root of the action and whoever is caught will face the wrought of the law.”
The councilor representing Ward Four Saki West Local Government, Alhaji Salaudeen Adebayo, who had earlier condemned the ugly incident, described it as needles waste of lives.
He, however, appealed to the state government to further strengthen the security architecture of the area, Stop illegal procession of lands, as well as ensure that Telecommunication is viable and accessible In the area.
On the entourage of the Acting Governor included the former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Hamid Gbadamosi; the state commissioner for Special duties Alhaja Fausat Joke Sanni; the state commissioner for Trade Industry Investment and Cooperative, Mr Niyi Adebisi; the Chairman Oyo State Pension Board, Rafiu Adekunle; the Chief Press Secretary, Sulaiman Olanrewaju and the Chairman of Saki West Local Government, Mr Akinola Gbenga:
Others were the Executive Assistant to the state governor on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya RTD; Director General Operation Burst, Amotekun and other security personnel.
