Abiodun announces arrest of four more kidnappers of Ogun students, commissions road

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Friday commissioned the 3.3-kilometre Adesan Road in Mowe, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, as he announced the arrest of four additional suspects linked to the abduction of seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade.

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Governor Abiodun described the rescue of the students and the arrest of the suspects as a major victory in the state’s war against criminality, declaring that Ogun State would never become a safe haven for criminals.

It would be recalled that two members of the kidnapping gang were arrested on Thursday during the operation that led to the successful rescue of the students.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the governor expressed appreciation to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), and other student bodies for their patience, understanding, and support throughout the period of the students’ captivity.

He attributed the successful rescue operation to the coordinated efforts of security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local hunters, and vigilantes.

Governor Abiodun also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director-General of the DSS.

“Sometime before the end of July, some of our students were kidnapped by unscrupulous elements. To the glory of God, with the cooperation and collaboration of our law enforcement agencies and the support we received from Mr. President, the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS, we worked night and day.

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“Yesterday, we rescued all seven students alive. We have arrested four more of the kidnappers, while the remaining suspects are still on the run. We will arrest them as well,” the governor said.

Reaffirming his administration’s zero tolerance for criminality, Governor Abiodun stressed that Ogun State, as Nigeria’s industrial capital and gateway to the nation, would not permit criminals to operate within its borders.

“Ogun State will not allow crime or criminality. Those who come here to test our resolve will be tracked down, smoked out, arrested, and made to face the full weight of the law,” he declared.

Highlighting his administration’s infrastructure achievements, Governor Abiodun disclosed that 42 roads have been constructed or reconstructed across Ogun Central Senatorial District since 2019, with 12 of them located in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area. He added that about 1,600 kilometres of roads have been completed across the state’s three senatorial districts.

According to him, roads completed in Obafemi-Owode include the Abeokuta–Sagamu Interchange Road, Panseke–Adigbe Road, Journalists’ Estate Road in Arepo, Siun–Owode Road (Phase I), the revived Mowe–Ofada Road, Iyana-Oloke Junction–MAPOLY Road, Adesan Road, Kuforiji–Olubi Road, Adigbe–Laderin–Train Station Road, Sagamu–Ofada–Papalanto Road, and Magboro–Makogi Road.

“In Ogun Central, within the last seven years, we have reconstructed 42 roads, and we are still constructing more.

“When we assumed office on May 29, 2019, we made several promises. Today, it is gratifying to look back and see how far God has helped us in fulfilling those promises.

“Even as we wind down this administration, we still have more roads to award and complete. There are additional roads in Obafemi-Owode, including the road linking Magboro, that will soon be commissioned. We will remain a promise-keeping administration,” he said.

The governor observed that Obafemi-Owode, being a border local government and the food basket of Ogun State where the renowned Ofada rice is cultivated and processed, deserves sustained investment in infrastructure to support its growing population and expanding economic activities.

He urged residents to protect the newly commissioned road by ensuring its proper use and maintenance.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, described Adesan Road as a strategic economic corridor that would improve connectivity between adjoining communities and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, enhance commerce, and ease transportation.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Obafemi-Owode Local Government, Mr Adesina Ogunsola, commended Governor Abiodun for his sustained investment in infrastructure, noting that the road would greatly benefit traders, students, motorists, and other road users.

He disclosed that the local government had complemented the state’s efforts by constructing the 1.6-kilometre Adigbe–Ita-Baale–Idi-Mangoro–Police Post Road and the one-kilometre Ogidan–Gele Odun Road, while additional roads have been earmarked for reconstruction.

The member representing Obafemi-Owode State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon Damilola Soneye Kayode, thanked the governor for fulfilling a long-standing request for the reconstruction of the road, noting that it serves about six communities and would significantly enhance transportation and economic activities.

Also, the member representing Obafemi-Owode, Odeda and Abeokuta North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Olumide Osoba, applauded the governor for delivering yet another strategic infrastructure project, describing it as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to inclusive development.

In his remarks, the Olu of Mowe, Oba Oriyomi Yahaya, commended Governor Abiodun for fulfilling his campaign promise to the people of Mowe and appealed to him to also reconstruct the town’s market to further stimulate commerce and economic growth.