Lagos Govt Admits Dumping 371 Residents In Osun, Tagged Them Miscreants, Beggars
AFTER an initial attempt at ignorance, the Lagos State government has confirmed the relocation of 371 residents whom it described as “miscreants, beggars and destitute persons” back to their states.
Recall that Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State had earlier stated that the Lagos State government promised to investigate the alleged deportation of youths from the state to Ilesa town.
Governor Adeleke had claimed his counterpart in Lagos, Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu denied authorising the exercise. A statement by the spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, on Monday, said the governor has consequently interfaced with Governor Sanwo-Olu over the development, urging the Lagos State governor to look into the matter and put an end to the incident.
“I spoke with my brother, Governor Sanwo-Olu, on the matter. He too was surprised, and he denied ever authorizing any such action.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu has promised an immediate investigation to unravel the facts of the situation. The Lagos team will update us as quickly as possible.
“I am subsequently directing our security agencies in Osun to mount surveillance in and around Ilesa to track the deported youths and their destinations.
“I will update our people on this development. I urge residents to be calm while the security agencies carry out surveillance,” Adeleke stated.
The Nigeria Police Force, in conjunction with the Lagos State Task Force, packed hundreds of residents and young people from the streets of the state on Friday and dumped them in Osun State.
One of the youths who said he was taken away by the Nigerian policemen at his place of work on Friday afternoon had narrated his ordeal to newsmen.
He had said the law enforcement agents packed young people from Ajah, TBS and Island areas of the state and gathered them inside an uncompleted building at the Makoko Police Station before moving them to a forest in Ilesha town in Osun State.
The Osun indigenes, mostly youths, were said to have been dropped at Ilesa-Akure Express junction, Breweries; Ilesa – Ibodi – Iginla to Ife Express junction; Osun Ankara Express junction; Imelu Express junction; and Iperindo Express junction.
Reacting, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho disclosed that 450 miscreants were rescued at the weekend following the statewide exercise to free Lagos of “visible security risks.”
Out of 450, he said, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they were facing in Lagos, while 79 had been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation “after showing signs of being unwell.”
The statement reads, “The statewide exercise to free Lagos of visible security risks has continued after the arrest of some suspects under the Dolphin Estate bridge.
“The ceaseless influx of miscreants, beggars, and the destitute onto Lagos streets has raised fears of insecurity of lives and property. This is unacceptable.
“As part of the exercise, 450 miscreants were at the weekend rescued. Of the lot, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they are facing in Lagos; 79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell.
“The exercise will continue as part of the government’s responsibility to keep our citizens safe and secure.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media
