Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Monday, led members of the
State Executive Council and the security agencies in the state to the
kidnappers’ den for an on-the-spot assessment of the forest.
The governor, who was conducted round the forest by security chiefs,
expressed sadness at what he called man’s inhumanity to his fellow man.
Ajimobi called for a minute silence and led prayers for the repose of
the souls of those who died in the kidnappers’ den.
While describing the incident as most unfortunate, the governor
announced the immediate revocation of the Certificates of Occupancy of the
expansive forest and directed that the bush be cleared.
He said, “We need to clear this place to ensure easy access to whatever
had been transpiring in the forest.
“We will also ensure that the entire area is combed by security agencies
to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.
“It is surprising that such a thing existed here for a long time. But
now, we have decided to revoke all the C of Os of the owners of the land;
government is taking it over immediately. Then we will set up a panel of
forensic experts; we will get to the root of the matter and we will find out
those involved in the act.”
While urging the people to be security conscious, the governor said it
was unimaginable that such evil had been going on in the neighbourhood for over
10 years, while the people living in the area had not alerted security agencies
about it.
He advised the people in the area to avoid brigandage, thuggery,
violence and all anti-social activities, urging them to provide security
agencies with necessary information as regards any strange movement within the
neighbourhood.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Ndabawa, also assured the
people that whoever was involved in the incident would be arrested and
prosecuted.