Community Donates Land For Barracks To Curb Militancy

Folake Sokoya

 The traditional rulers and community leaders of Oke-Oko, Oke-Tapa and environs of Isawo in Ikorodu-Lagos, have donated 10 acres of land to the Nigerian Army to build barracks.

Baale of the communities, Chief Musa, disclosed the gift in an interview with our reporter in Lagos on Sunday.

Musa said that the land was given to the Army owing to their efforts in sending out militants and pipelines vandals in the areas and thereby restoring peace to their communities.

He said the land was part  of the areas occupied by suspected militants and vandals, where they unleashed terror on the residents resulting in many deaths and destruction of properties.

The Baale noted that the existing presence of the Army and police had deter the militants and other criminals from operating in the area.

The Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, on August 4, 2016, visited Isawo creeks and was briefed about the activities of the militants while a military joint taskforce was drafted by the Lagos State government to the area to dislodged the militants and vandals.

No fewer than five police officers and two soldiers, including an Army captain, were killed after the militants and members of the Joint Task Force called Operation AWATSE had a heavy gun battle early Sunday morning of April 9, 2017.

Musa also commended the state government for securing the lives and properties in the communities, stressing that all the leaders and people in the areas were ready  to support Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s second term bid.

He added that their support for Ambode  second term bid was due to developmental projects his administration was carrying out in their communities.

“In view of the enormous developmental programmes the state government is bringing our communities, the leaders and people of Oke-Oko, Oke-Tapa and environs in Idawo-Ikorodu are supporting Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for the second term 100 percent.

“The government is currently constructing the major road leading to our communities (Agric-Owutu-Isawo-Arepo on the Lagos-Ibadan Express way). The road was abandoned since 2000.

“The road leading to Ibadan Express way will bring rapid economic growth to the area. The road will attract revenue to the state and communities,” he noted.

The Royal father, however, reminded the governor on other projects he promised to bring to the communities, such as health care centre, primary and secondary schools.

“The governor promised us when he visited the area on Feb. 16, 2016 with members of his Executive Council a Health care centre, primary and secondary schools for our people. We are eagerly waiting for the fulfilment.

“We assured the governor of lands where the projects would be cited,” he said.

He appreciated the commissioner of police in Lagos State, CP Imohimi Edgal, Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Ezeh,commander of the 174 battallion and other security agencies operating in Ikorodu for fighting Ritualists and cultists in the area.

He also commended the fatherly role of the Oba of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom,  stressing that with cooperation by all residents in Ikorodu, crime would be minimized.