The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has sounded a note of warning to property owners in the state that let out their properties to criminally minded individuals that in turn make life unbearable for the people of the state, saying that such properties would be seized, demolished and airing owners dealt with accordingly.
Prince Dapo Abiodun who made this known in his office while addressing pressmen on the state of security in the state,said that the three kidnappings that occurred along the Lagos Ibadan expressway, involving 7 victims on the 23rd and 24th of July and 1st of August, along Sagamu- Benin expressway, involving 5 victims, including Deaconess Chidinma Ebeleji of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the state was a test of his administrations resolve to ensure that the state was secured for all.
He sounded a note of warning to all landlords and property owners who just give out their apartments to people they don’t know, saying that it has now become important for property owners to know their tenants very well.
” Let me sound a strong note of warning to our landlords and any property owner, that any property or facility found to be serving as hideout to criminals will not only be taken over but will be demolished, the landlords will also be arrested and handed over for prosecution for harboring criminals, we will consider and treat them as accomplices,” he said.
Abiodun while calling on the people who reside in the state to cooperate and collaborate with law enforcement agencies, by giving them necessary information about any suspicious movement in their area, added that the criminals are not ghosts or spirits, but humans who live amongst the people.
He noted that no part of the state would be a safe haven for criminals in the state, adding that criminals would be smoked out of the state.
” Let me state in clear terms,no part of Ogun State will be a safe haven for criminals and criminality of whatever form, whether on Lagos- Ibadan expressway, Sagamu- Benin- Ore expressway, Abeokuta- Sango- Lagos expressway, or even our township roads or interstate roads, We shall smoke out, arrest and hand criminals over to the swift hand of justice.
My administration would continue to ensure our people go about their legitimate businesses and enterprise in a secure environment.
I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu for their timely intervention and quick deployment of men, resources, and equipment for the release of the recently kidnapped victims. The helicopter that was released for surveillance of the area had helped in tracking down the criminals.