Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state on Monday charged the Oyo State Police Command to fish out perpetrators of the mayhem at different locations in Ibadan, the state capital, on Sunday.
OYO INSIGHT had reported how some hoodlums, suspected to be arsonists, on Sunday burnt about 30 shops in some parts of Ibadan, the state capital.
Ajimobi, who was on an on-the-spot inspection to Idi Arere, Asaka and Oja’gbo areas of Ibadan; the locations of the mayhem in the company of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Odude and his men as well as senior government officials, said that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will do the assessment of the loss in order for government to help the victims.
He added that anyone arrested in connection with the mayhem should be treated like a hardened criminal.
Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo, stated that the government will not fold its hands and allow miscreants to truncate the peace, security and safety restored to Oyo State in the past seven years, warning that stiff measures will be meted out to all those who caused mayhem and wreaked havoc in the state.
He urged politicians not to politicise the activities of hoodlums bent on creating hardship for the people, stating that they should rather join hands with the government to condemn their activities and provide useful information to law enforcement agents to nip the situation in the bud.
He said, “One of the cardinal programmes of this administration is securing the lives and properties of the citizens and we will leave no stone unturned to see that peace and security is sustained. These hoodlums are humane, callous and barbaric and they should be treated as such.
“The State Government will do all within its reach to ameliorate the pains of the affected persons and the perpetrators of this evil act will be brought to book in due course.
“We want to appeal to our citizens to vigilant and provide useful information to the law enforcement agents. Also, our parents should take care of their wards and warn them against being the agents of destruction.
“The government will not hesitate to enforce its power on whoever is bent on causing crisis in the state,” he said.
Odude, while reacting, urged the people to show understanding during the response of the men of the force to distress call, stating that the police need more intelligence to get its work done.
He disclosed that 11 people had been arrested in connection with the Idi Arere mayhem, urging people not to hesitate in feeding the security agencies with adequate information which will lead to the quick arrest of hoodlums involved in the mayhem.
