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Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has expressed sadness at the news of the kidnap of a LCDA chairman, saying that the government will do everything within its power to get him freed.
On Sunday evening, the Caretaker Chairman, Iganna Local Council Development Area of Oyo State, Comrade Jacob Olayiwola Adeleke, was kidnapped Okeho-Ado Awaye road, on his way to Ibadan for a scheduled meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Oyo state Police Command said they have started combing the forests in Oke Ogun to rescue the kidnapped chairman and his driver.
Speaking on the development, Governor Makinde said that the local government chairmen also have work to do within the localities – and quickly too.
The governor further said that the police will have to return to playing its role, noting that traditional rulers and other stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring that the police come back and perform their duties diligently.
He maintained that the state will begin the process of rebuilding police stations that were razed or vandalised, warning residents of the state to, however, be vigilant and watchful about external people coming to attack facilities in the state, as, according to him, killing, arson are not part of Oyo State, a state of Omoluabi.
He said: “This is the first time we will be meeting like this after the events of the past two weeks. We are not here to apportion blame or do a post-protest analysis. I can see that those who spoke earlier were commending me. I appreciate you all for the kind words but I have to say that there is nothing extra. I am doing the job that you gave me in Oyo State.
“I want to reassure the good people of Oyo State that all criminal elements that engaged in wanton destruction of lives and properties will be dealt with. I can give you that assurance because killing, arson, destruction of means of livelihood are not part of us. They are not the things that we stand for as a people. Yes, I supported the protest and I did not have any regret for supporting the protest.“I had a serious exchange with the Commissioner of Police. This is also true for the Police hierarchy. They were losing men and police stations and they needed to act. But I said we have to act with caution. It is difficult to understand what I was trying to say in the heat of things but he did in the end. And we agreed and proceeded with caution. That is why the situation did not really go beyond what we saw.”
“I also want to urge members of the Nigeria Police Force working in Oyo State to step up to their responsibilities to protect lives and properties. Just like the DIG said, there is no agency that can take the duty of the Police. They are to maintain internal order.“So, we have to give the Police the opportunity to carry out their constitutional responsibilities and functions. We know that trust is low right now, but you can quickly regain public trust through your professional conduct. Even among the leaders, there is a trust-deficit. We definitely have to proceed from this point forward with caution. We must not read ethnic, religious or political coloration to the challenges we are faced with.”
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