Abiodun Expresses Shock over Destruction in Sagamu Riot

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday expressed shock over the level of destruction, recorded from the violence that erupted in Sagamu, headquarters of Sagamu Local Government area of the state on Monday, over the scarcity of new naira notes.

Abiodun expressed his displeasure, when visited the town for an on-the-spot assessment of buildings and property affected by the unrest.

The governor, declared that the state government would go after those involved in the arson and wanton destruction of the public property.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the assessment tour of the affected areas, the governor described the level of destruction of properties as shocking and never seen in the history of the town.

He said, “I am here to have on-the-spot assessment of what happened about the protest that rocked Sagamu yesterday. I have visited the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, local government secretariat and I am here at the Akarigbo Road to see the banks.

“What I have seen here breaks my heart. I am speechless. It was supposed to be a protest, but what I have seen here is that there are sinister objectives. The IBEDC office and the local government secretariat were vandalized with properties worth millions of naira destroyed. At the banks, hoodlums attempted to take away computers and cash.

“The protest is beyond naira redesigning or cash swap policy. We heard that from so many eye witnesses, we also believe from what we have seen today and this is most unfortunate particularly, as elections are few days away

“This is obvious to me that some elements are determined to unleash mayhem in order to cause voters’ apathy or perhaps to hopefully believe that there will be no elections, if they continue with the violence.”

Speaking further, the governor said, “as the Chief Security Officer of this state, I consider this a test of not only my will, but the collective will of the law architecture.

“We are going after any person that either directly or indirectly associates with this hideous crime. We will swing them, we will arrest them and they will face the full wrath of the law and make a good example of them.”

He reiterated that despite the violence that broke out in the country as the result of the #EndSARS protest two years ago, Ogun State was relatively peaceful, as it did not record any destructive protest or violence, wondering why such happened now.

He expressed thanks to God that no life was lost and to the people for remaining calm in the face of such provocation, assuring that the government would support those who are affected.

The governor further appealed to the people to go about their normal businesses peacefully, saying that adequate security would be provided by the law enforcement agencies.

He commended the security agents, who responded swiftly to the mayhem, saying the perpetrators, could only wish, plan, but could not break the spirit of the people, just as he assured that elections would hold on Saturday, February 25, as planned, warning that anyone fomenting trouble would be dealt with.

The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Brigade Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala, Abeokuta, Commissioner of Police, other Service Chiefs, members of the State Executive Council, among others.