Lawmaker calls for Tighter Security in Ogun Waterside, Riverine Communities

A federal lawmaker, Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu, has called for tighter security measures to ensure the protection of lives and property for the riverine communities in Ogun State.  Adebutu made the urgent point of order call on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday 23rd May 2017, in the wake of the heightened activities of militants and kidnappers in Iwopin, Ibiade, Abigi, Ode Omi and Makun Omi all located in Ogun Waterside Local Government.  According to him, “the most recent attacks saw killings, brigandage and abductions of local residents and some foreigners.  During the attacks hoodlums broke into the police station, killed an officer and raided the armoury, carting away arms and ammunition”. 
He said the break down in security overtime has paralysed socio-economic activities including the closure of the local bank and markets and has led to loss of lives, property and income. Resulting in mass desertion and the residents living in perpetual fear for their lives.
Adebutu who represents Sagamu, Ikenne and Remo North Federal Constituency noted that the Save Our Souls messages from the residents to the state government so far has yielded no fruits.
He reminded the Floor that Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution states that the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government, and hence called on the Federal Government to order all security agencies to beef up security for the protection of lives and property in Ijebu land and its environs. He appealed to the Government to deal decisively with this challenge and make the communities safe again for indigenes and inhabitants alike.
In light of Adebutu’s Motion on the siege on Ogun Waterside Local Government by militants and kidnappers, the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, mandated the House Committees on Special Duties and Police Affairs to ensure full implementation of tougher security arrangements.
The lawmaker who also doubles as the Chairman, House Committee on Rural Development, had earlier paid a visit to the affected communities on 21st May 2017, to commiserate with them on the ugly incident, which claimed the lives o four people, including a Policeman, while properties worth several millions of naira were also damaged.
Adebutu had during the visit condemned the action of the militants and kidnappers as very wicked, barbaric, unwarranted and unacceptable. He said it was very impossible for him to sit down and watch, while innocent and law-abiding residents got killed,calling on the government to provide urgently, a tight security in the Ijebu Waterside communities and other vulnerable areas along the coastline, in order to avoid a repeat of such dastardly act. This according to him will engender peace among the people and also protect against loss of lives and properties.
He therefore enjoined them to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration exercise, while also assuring them on government’s intervention on the long-abandoned electrification of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, which had brought untold hardship to her people.