The Police Commands in Oyo and Ogun States have beefed up security on Lagos-Ibadan expressway following a resurgence of criminal activities along the route.
There have been recurring reports of kidnapping and other security challenges along the 131 kilometre road in recent time.
The Spokesman of the police in Oyo state, SP Adewale Osifeso said in a statement on Thursday that Commissioner of Police Adebowale Williams had vowed to rid the area of undesirable criminal elements.
Williams, in company of his Ogun state counterpart, Lanre Bankole, on Thursday undertook strategic assessment patrol along the highway and deployed personnel and assets to forestall further attack.
He said both commands have also restructured the security apparatus around Lagos-Sagamu-Sapade-Onigari axis.
“The security architecture of both commands were also deliberately remodelled with cooperation from adjoining state police commands to deal decisively with criminal elements.
“Whose mindset is to use both states as criminal hideouts after being dislodged.”
He advised the citizens of the states not to panic because of the enhanced presence of security personnel and equipment in the area.
The spokesman said there would be joint intelligence-led surveillance, aggressive patrols, combing of forests alongside local hunters and vigilante members and other permanent visibility policing measures.
He urged the public to provide the police with timely and credible information on suspected criminals around them.
Meanwhile, the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Adams has urged governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) to allow the newly inaugurated Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) Dependable Team and the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) to flush out those he described as criminal elements from Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Aare Adams, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, expressed concern over the incessant attacks on travellers plying the road.
“There has been an abnormal surge in cases of kidnapping along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The information at my disposal indicates the surge in the numbers of terrorists and kidnappers hiding at Sapade, a 62km town to Ibadan.
“Kidnappers are now having a field day, even as it is obvious that the police couldn’t help the prevailing situation.
“The situation is getting out of hand and I believe it is now time for the three governors of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos to allow us flush the bandits out of their hiding place,” he said.
