The executive chairman of Oluyole local government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, has embarked on the demolition of the criminal hideout in the area
This is just as he issued a stern warning against the illegal possession of government-owned or abandoned privately-owned properties.
The crackdown, orchestrated by a collaborative effort between local government authorities and security agencies, targeted clandestine hideouts used by criminals to perpetrate nefarious activities.
Speaking at the demolition site located along Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road before Rom Oil, Olatunji noted the place had been a source of concern as the illegal occupants of the landed property had no approval of any form from government authorities when investigations were conducted.
According to Olatunji, who noted that the decision to demolish the criminal hideout was reached at the last Local Government Security Council meeting, the demolished site has been a hideout for criminal elements, including kidnappers and armed robbers, as well as those engaging in the use of narcotics and Indian hemp.
The former publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party in Oyo State disclosed that a joint security taskforce team had earlier raided the site as part of enforcement of pre-demolition notice, unravelling secret nefarious activities at the hideout and rescuing underage pregnant girls, armed robbers, and young criminal suspects who have been duly profiled by relevant security agencies.
The council boss disclosed that despite illegally occupying the abandoned landed property and erecting shanty structures, the local government had written three different notices intimating them to vacate the property without any compliance.
Olatunji emphasised the importance of maintaining law and order within Oluyole, stressing that the era of lawlessness in the council is over as his administration is already all out to crack down on criminal hideouts as well as illegal occupants of abandoned privately owned properties that belong to the government.
While condemning the unlawful occupation of the abandoned properties, Olatunji stressed that such actions are capable of undermining community safety and development efforts.
“We will not tolerate any form of illegal possession or misuse of public assets. This demolition is a clear message to others at different locations illegally occupying local government and abandoned privately owned assets in our ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities and reclaim public spaces within Oluyole.” Olatunji said.
The executive chairman has also hinted at further joint security operations aimed at identifying and dismantling similar hideouts across the local government area, maintaining that Oluyole will not allow criminal elements to hibernate anywhere in its territory.
Similarly, Olatunji has also warned scavengers to desist forthwith from littering the roads in Oluyole with empty plastic bottles while lamenting the bad image such action has caused the local government.
While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fully aligning with the state government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in ensuring full compliance with a healthy and safe environment, Olatunji emphasised that Oluyole would not condone any form of lawlessness.
He assured that he remains committed to his electoral promises to domesticate Governor Makinde’s sustainable development agenda at the grassroots in order to bring about cohesion in policy and programme implementation for holistic economic prosperity.
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