By Chris Chimezie
|
The present administration in Ondo State has stated that it would not tolerate any acts that can jeopardise the reigning peace and socio-economic well-being of the people.

Consequently, the government and security agencies in the state will always be proactive in dealing with issues that can lead to any break down of law and order in any part of the state.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Ondo State Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale reiterated this while addressing some aggrieved commercial motorcyclist operators in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

The ‘Okada riders’ had gathered at the entrance of the State Specialist Hospital in Akure to protest the death of one of them who on Tuesday night, was involved in an accident with a motorist identified as an official of  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Odebowale said despite the fact that the State Government was not in any way involved in the incident, the well-being of every citizen was of paramount importance to the State Government, hence the steps so far taken in concert with all security agencies in the state on the matter.

He said the State Hospital Management has treated the two injured passengers on the  ill-fated motorcycle as directed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu while efforts were ongoing by security agencies to fish out the Civil Defence official whose car allegedly caused the death of the rider.

According to the Governor’s Aide, the family members of the deceased have been contacted and arrangements have been concluded to bury him in accordance with Islamic rites.

He added that costs of the burial and needs for the immediate family would be borne by the State Government.

While appealing to the demonstrators to be calm and allow peace to reign, Dr Odebowale said justice would be appropriately served as no act of omission or commission would be tolerated by the State Government.

Responding, the commercial motorcycle operators appreciated the State government for its genuine concern and prompt actions on the unfortunate development.

They appealed to the State Government to ensure that appropriate disciplinary action be taken against the Civil Defence official whose car knocked the deceased down and eventually led to his untimely death.

They therefore, removed the barricade on the highways for free flow of vehicular movements, thereby restoring peace to the area.

In a related development, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy Dr Doyin Odebowale has described the circumstances that led to the death of another person while on funeral procession to bury the dead commercial motorcyclist in Akure as unfortunate, disheartening and avoidable.

He told newsmen in Akure that the procession to the Igbatoro road public cemetery where the rider was to be buried by his colleagues and some of the deceased family members was going on peacefully until some yet to be identified intruder shot into the procession, hitting and killing a female relative of the dead Okada rider.

The unfortunate act led to violent  protests to parts of Adesida Road, Alagbaka GRA and the Governor’s Office where the Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon Ifedayo Abegunde expressed sadness over the incident.

In its reaction, the Ondo State Police Command through the Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, said the incident was being investigated and that justice would be done accordingly.

On its part, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Spokesperson, Samuel Oladipo denied insinuations that its official fired the shot that killed the woman.

He said the funeral procession from the State Specialist Hospital did not pass through its State Headquarters and as such the NSCDC officials on guard duties could not have fired the shots that killed the female victim.

Mr Oladipo however confirmed that it was the official of NSCDC that had an accident with the dead Okada man.

“One of our officials was involved in an accident with an okada rider carrying passengers on Tuesday evening.

“He took them to the hospital, but the okada rider died the following day at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure.

“While we were making efforts to reach the deceased’s family and begin a discussion with them, the okada riders hijacked the whole thing and started a protest”, he said.

Meanwhile, the chaotic situation has since been brought under control following the interventions of the State government and security agencies.

Alleged killing of siblings in Akure

We ’ll not tolerate lawlessness – ODSG

By Chris Chimezie

The present administration in Ondo State has stated that it would not tolerate any acts that can jeopardise the reigning peace and socio-economic well-being of the people.

Consequently, the government and security agencies in the state will always be proactive in dealing with issues that can lead to any break down of law and order in any part of the state.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Ondo State Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale reiterated this while addressing some aggrieved commercial motorcyclist operators in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

The ‘Okada riders’ had gathered at the entrance of the State Specialist Hospital in Akure to protest the death of one of them who on Tuesday night, was involved in an accident with a motorist identified as an official of  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Odebowale said despite the fact that the State Government was not in any way involved in the incident, the well-being of every citizen was of paramount importance to the State Government, hence the steps so far taken in concert with all security agencies in the state on the matter.

He said the State Hospital Management has treated the two injured passengers on the  ill-fated motorcycle as directed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu while efforts were ongoing by security agencies to fish out the Civil Defence official whose car allegedly caused the death of the rider.

According to the Governor’s Aide, the family members of the deceased have been contacted and arrangements have been concluded to bury him in accordance with Islamic rites.

He added that costs of the burial and needs for the immediate family would be borne by the State Government.

While appealing to the demonstrators to be calm and allow peace to reign, Dr Odebowale said justice would be appropriately served as no act of omission or commission would be tolerated by the State Government.

Responding, the commercial motorcycle operators appreciated the State government for its genuine concern and prompt actions on the unfortunate development.

They appealed to the State Government to ensure that appropriate disciplinary action be taken against the Civil Defence official whose car knocked the deceased down and eventually led to his untimely death.

They therefore, removed the barricade on the highways for free flow of vehicular movements, thereby restoring peace to the area.

In a related development, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy Dr Doyin Odebowale has described the circumstances that led to the death of another person while on funeral procession to bury the dead commercial motorcyclist in Akure as unfortunate, disheartening and avoidable.

He told newsmen in Akure that the procession to the Igbatoro road public cemetery where the rider was to be buried by his colleagues and some of the deceased family members was going on peacefully until some yet to be identified intruder shot into the procession, hitting and killing a female relative of the dead Okada rider.

The unfortunate act led to violent  protests to parts of Adesida Road, Alagbaka GRA and the Governor’s Office where the Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon Ifedayo Abegunde expressed sadness over the incident.

In its reaction, the Ondo State Police Command through the Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, said the incident was being investigated and that justice would be done accordingly.

On its part, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Spokesperson, Samuel Oladipo denied insinuations that its official fired the shot that killed the woman.

He said the funeral procession from the State Specialist Hospital did not pass through its State Headquarters and as such the NSCDC officials on guard duties could not have fired the shots that killed the female victim.

Mr Oladipo however confirmed that it was the official of NSCDC that had an accident with the dead Okada man.

“One of our officials was involved in an accident with an okada rider carrying passengers on Tuesday evening.

“He took them to the hospital, but the okada rider died the following day at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure.

“While we were making efforts to reach the deceased’s family and begin a discussion with them, the okada riders hijacked the whole thing and started a protest”, he said.

Meanwhile, the chaotic situation has since been brought under control following the interventions of the State government and security agencies.