Kunle Adelabu
In order to effectively tackle the menace of cultism in Ikorodu Local Government, the Chairman of the council, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, has hinted that plans are underway to engage the services of security personnel to jointly patrol strategic positions in the town.
The Chairman disclosed this in an interview with THE IMPACT in his office, stating that the council would be employing the services of the local vigilance group in Ikorodu, Onyabo, Nigeria Police, Army and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) to patrol Ikorodu to fish out, apprehend and handover over suspects to the necessary enforcement agencies of the government.
The cult war which has subsided for some months resurfaced in different parts of Ikorodu and Igbogbo communities recently which led to the loss of lives while social and economic activities were disrupted.
“I called security meeting when the guys (cultists) started their trouble again and we are planning to introduce joint security patrol by officers of Onyabo Vigilance Group, Police, army and Lagos Neighbourhood Corps who will constantly patrol the nooks and crannies of Ikorodu Local Government”, Hon. Adeshina stated when asked how the council intends to tackle the resurgence of the gang war.
“The Council will be solely responsible for the joint security patrol which will be geared towards protecting the lives and properties of the residents as well as safeguard the businesses in the community.
“We are also planning to speak with the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, as well as religious, political, community and opinion leaders on the decision to have the joint security patrol and also seek for the help and support of the traditional institutions for the patrol which is aimed at curtailing gang wars and killings in Ikoorodu”, he added.
On the issue of lingering environmental challenges in various parts of Ikorodu Division, especially on the operations of the Public Sector Participation (PSP), despite the declaration of state of emergency in the sector by the Governor of the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Hon. Adeshina stated that the council is working towards adequately tackling the matter.
“We have invited the PSP operators to a meeting to know their challenges but you must know that it is the state that is managing the initiative.
“We are working with other stakeholders to see to it that the problems are resolved”, Adeshina hinted.
“I want to appreciate LAWMA in this regard. They have intervened in the refuse collection and also helping greatly in this regard day and night. I really thank the team” , he said while appreciating the intervention of LAWMA in constantly evacuating refuse dumps from unauthorized locations across the town.
While speaking on the state of roads in the council which have totally collapsed, the chairman stated that his administration is working towards carrying out palliative measures on some of the roads.
“We have been unable to do anything because of the rain but now that the rain has subsided, we are now back on the road”, he stated.
“Our major concern is to fill the potholes and make the roads motorable. We have done this from Ota- Ona to Oriwu College and Sabo road too. Our next plan is to make the Adeniran Ogunsanya (Itunmoja-Onsigida – Sabo road) motorable”, he revealed.
Adeniran Ogunsanya road, which is one of the major roads within Ikorodu community , has collapsed for some years causing untoward hardship to motorists and other road users.
