… MAPOLY, TASUED, Other Institutions Face Grave Threats Amid Herdsmen Invasion
Daud Olatunji
In a harrowing surge of insecurity, Ogun State has witnessed over 15 alarming cases between June and November 2023, with a particularly distressing incident claiming the life of Taiwo Oyekanmi, the Director of Finance for the governor’s office.
Despite a staggering expenditure of over N8 billion on security measures between 2021 and 2022, the state remains plagued by a disturbing array of criminal activities, including kidnappings, robberies, cultism, and the invasion of tertiary institutions by herdsmen.
Shockingly, several daylight robberies have occurred in the state capital, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing security measures.
The recent loss of the Director of Finance highlights the gravity of the situation, prompting intensified efforts to address the escalating crisis.
Investigations by PLATFORM TIMES have revealed that tertiary institutions in the state are now hotbeds for criminal activities. Robberies and sexual assaults have become distressingly common, putting the safety and well-being of students at serious risk.
The invasion of schools by herdsmen further exacerbates the security challenges, prompting Vice Chancellors and Rectors to urgently seek intervention from the state police command.
Despite substantial financial investments in security, the persistence of criminal activities underscores the need for a comprehensive reevaluation of existing measures.
…Ogun Expends N8.3 Billion On Security In Two Years
In a comprehensive financial disclosure, the Ogun State government has revealed that it allocated a staggering sum of N8,370,716,921.48 toward fostering social order, safety, and public order between 2021 and 2022.
The detailed financial statements, as released by the state’s Accountant General, shed light on the extensive investments made by the Dapo Abiodun-led administration in securing lives and properties.
According to information obtained by PLATFORM TIMES from the openstatesfund/ogun portal, a significant portion of the allocated funds, totaling N3,687,417,807.55, was directed towards supporting police services during the specified period.
This amount underscores the government’s commitment to reinforcing law enforcement capabilities and maintaining public safety.
The state’s security network, popularly known as Amotekun, received a substantial allocation of N1,235,875,757.66 over the same two-year period.
Further analysis of the financial records revealed that the allocation for public order and safety reached N2,316,779,276.03 between 2021 and 2022.
This encompassing approach signifies the government’s holistic strategy in addressing not only criminal activities but also ensuring general public safety and order.
Within the comprehensive security expenditure, the Gateway Response Squad was allocated N1,130,644,080.24 over the two-year period. This specialized unit plays a crucial role in emergency response and maintaining swift interventions to curb security challenges.
It is worth noting that, despite the transparency in the financial disclosure, there are additional security-related expenses not explicitly detailed within the N8.3 billion expenditure.
These undisclosed costs may encompass various aspects of security measures, reflecting the multifaceted nature of ensuring public safety and order in the state.
The significant investment made by the Ogun State government underscores its unwavering commitment to creating a secure environment for its residents.
…15 Major Cases In Six Months Captured
On May 27, 2023, armed robbers stole from a Hausa trader during an attack on a Toyota Venza salon car, dispossessing him of N11m.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the operation lasted three minutes.
The robbers, brandishing rifles, fled with their loot in two ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bags after disabling the victim’s car, marked ABC 565 GN.
The victim had reportedly tried to deposit the money at a new generation bank’s Oke-Ilewo branch but was turned away due to banking hours.
After entering his car, the masked robbers unloaded the bags into their car and escaped with the victim’s car key before security arrived.
The four-man gang wore black T-shirts, jeans, facemasks, and carried rifles.
On June, another attack reportedly occurred in the same area after a victim was robbed leaving a new generation bank.
On June 12, 2023, about 40 hoodlums, allegedly sponsored by landgrabbers, attacked residents of Orile Egun, Kara Nla, and Kara Kekere communities through Pakuro, Mowe, in Obafemi Owode Local Council of Ogun State, killing four people.
On July 6, 2023, a 62-year-old physically challenged man, Adetunji Ayaji, was reportedly assassinated in his house in Imasayi community, Yewa-North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
On July 25, 2023, kidnappers abducted the immediate past Provost of the Federal College of Education, Osile, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr. Ayodele Ajayi, along with his wife and driver, later releasing him after an undisclosed ransom was paid.
On September 19, about 20 people were reportedly killed during a clash between two notorious cult groups – Eiye and Aye Confraternity groups in Sagamu, Ogun State.
On October, 2023, a robbery gang struck on the overhead bridge, Ibara, taking away some amount of money.
On the same October, another robbery occurred in the state capital when Lasisi Ibrahim was robbed and shot on his thighs at Sokori after leaving a new generation bank. The victim was still in the Federal Medical Centre for treatment.
On October 14, 2023, hoodlums armed with Ak-47 allegedly planned to launch a dreadful attack on Yobo village, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State. The Police apprehended eight suspects in connection to the attack.
On October 25, 2023, four female students of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state were reportedly raped by suspected robbers in an off-campus hostel.
On November 11, two persons were confirmed dead in Sagamu as cultists resumed their clashes.
On November 19, PLATFORM TIMES gathered suspected robbers stormed the Ipara-Remo and Ode-Remo communities, hosting some students of the Polytechnic Gateway Polytechnic, around 1 am, shooting sporadically and entered students’ hostels to cart away their belongings. They reportedly molested some female students and shot others.
On November 27, 2023, suspected armed robbers invaded the area, leaving some students shot while female students were allegedly sexually molested.
On November 29, 2023, suspected armed robbers reportedly killed Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi, a director of finance at the governor’s office in Ogun state while en route with the homemade bullion van after leaving a branch of a bank in Abeokuta.
The latest robbery occurred on December 2, 2023, when suspected armed robbers struck, carting away belongings and killing one Gateway Polytechnic student while injuring nine in another attack.
A student of Gateway Polytechnic Sapade, identified as Segun, was allegedly killed during the fresh robbery attack on the Ode-Remo community in Iperu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
This latest case occurred following multiple armed robbery attacks recorded barely two weeks before.
…Security Concerns Heighten Tertiary Institutions Due To Herdsmen Invasion, Rising Crimes
During a recent security stakeholders meeting involving leaders of tertiary institutions in Ogun State and the state police command, alarming revelations were made regarding the safety of students, primarily due to herdsmen invasion.
Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, raised the alarm, citing a two-year-old complaint about herdsmen presence on campus. Despite promises of relocation, the situation persists, with cattle invading classrooms and posing a significant threat to students’ lives.
Corroborating this concern, Adeosun Ismail, CSO of Hallmark University, Ijebu-Itele, highlighted the need for urgent intervention. He proposed measures such as allowing the killing of cows found on campus to deter herdsmen. Additionally, he drew attention to the kidnapping issues around Itele and Fowobi filling station, causing fear among students and staff.
Moses Ogundeji, CSO of TASUED, emphasized the university’s challenges, primarily stemming from crimes in host communities, particularly cultism and its associated crimes. He highlighted the lack of proximity to police stations, hindering prompt responses to criminal activities.
Efforts are underway to rehabilitate an abandoned police post to enhance security measures. Ogundeji also mentioned recent aggressive herdsmen invasions, posing threats to campus security.
Aminu Sulaeman, Dean of Students Affairs at Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, addressed stealing incidents in the town, urging increased police capacity in the Igbesa division to combat rising crimes.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Sabi, Dean of Students Affairs at Sikiru Adetona College of Education Science and Technology Omu-Ijebu, lamented the hostility from some members of the host community. He highlighted instances of sexual harassment and unannounced traditional festivals causing disruptions.
Dr. Malik A.O, Acting Dean of Students Affairs at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, detailed constant robbery cases and drug-related issues in the adjoining communities.
Various speakers from different institutions urged the police to intervene, enhance capacity, and address the multifaceted security challenges faced by students across Ogun State.
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