- Calls for proper clearance of creeks
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for authorising the ongoing military operations against suspected militants terrorising some riverine communities in the state.
Ibafo, Ogijo and other neighbouring communities had been under the violent attacks of the suspected militants in the past one month.
Governor Amosun, who visited the affected communities, however, urged the Federal Government to ensure that the creeks, especially areas where the petroleum pipelines are located, are cleared for proper visibility.
The governor who was appalled by the large number of jerry cans the hoodlums used to steal fuel from ruptured pipelines, noted that there was the need for the nation’s creek lines to be cleared of shrubs and bushes, which had served as hideouts for hoodlums who rupture the pipelines.
Amosun said, “We have gone round this place they say is the camp of the vandals, and I must say I feel sad, sad because some of us can deliberately be engaging in this type of economic sabotage.
“But I will advise the Federal Government to embark on a deliberate policy to clear our creeks. All the shrubs and bushes 500 metres off our creeks should be cleared.
“As you can all see, this place is bushy and it is enough incentive to hoodlums to hide and operate. I want to believe this is how our creek is nationwide. We should be proactive and solve this problem.”
The governor, who was in company with his deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adekunbi Suraj; Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa; the Brigade Commander, 35th Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Ogun State; State Police Commissioner, Ahmed Illiyasu, as well as the State Director of the Department of State Security, DSS, during the visit, expressed appreciation to the service chiefs for their focus and determination to rid the country of all forms of criminality.
He also advised residents of the affected communities to cooperate with the security operatives and ensure that their community did not harbour criminal elements.
