Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
The Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Omo’ba Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun, has issued serious warnings against youths’ rascality and the bringing in of Ajagungbales by families to take over lands within the council.
He expressed disappointment over the incident that happened at Oreta on Wednesday, which led to the loss of four lives and serious disturbances, warning that those responsible for the acts will be brought to book.
Aroyewun gave the warning at the Security Summit convened by his administration at the Adeboruwa palace on Thursday.
He commended the traditional rulers and chiefs for keeping watch and always ready to give him timely and adequate information concerning security situation in their domains
“A lot of things have happened in the last two weeks, and on no condition can we continue with this as a government and as a community. We are not going to tolerate this further.
“What is responsible for this is the lack of proper training and upbringing of many of our youths. We are not going to tolerate this any longer. As a government, we are going to ensure serious actions against any irresponsible children; rascality will not be tolerated.
“We have been enjoying our peace and we can no longer tolerate it. Something happened at Oreta yesterday (Wednesday). It was total madness, rascality, and I will not tolerate it. Four persons were killed within four hours. It was total madness. We are not going to tolerate it”, Aroyewun warned.
He also issued stern warning against families indulging in the engagement of the services of Ajagungbales, emphasizing that such act is against the law, and that such culprits indulging in such act will be properly dealt with.
“I want to use this medium to tell our fathers and families that are bringing land grabbers into this community that what is happening are effects of what we are all causing and which we can no longer handle. Rascality of land gabbers is creating a serious menace in our society.
“It is quite unfortunate that some families brought Ajagugungables to the lands that are not even enough for the family members, and paid them N20million or N30million or 10 acres. But after bringing them, they will go out of hands and you will no longer be able to curtail their excesses.
“This is against the law which forbids anything that has to do with land grabbing. For how long are we going to do this? We can no longer tolerate this; I will not tolerate it”.
The council boss, who was visibly furious at reports that some families are disturbing residents over lands that have been bought from them for decades, warned those responsible to desist from such acts capable of disturbing the peace and order in the community.
“I have received several calls, and messages on a daily basis from CDC and CDAs, that families are disturbing residents over lands sold to them 20 to 30 years ago and upon which they have built their houses. Why ask them to pay ratification over a particular land three to four times? If we have no fear for human beings like us, let us fear God.
“The insecurity that we are contending with today in the north started gradually like this with Boko Haram. I am stating that it will not be tolerated”.
While offering youth a get out ticket from crime and social vices by pleading with them to take advantage of his administration’s skill trainings and support, Aroyewun said that he has spoken with the Commissioner of Police and Director of DSS over insecurity issues and also directed security agencies to arrest anyone found wanting.
“I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police, and the Director of the DSS, and they have the permission to arrest any rascal youth, including any traditional chief, Baales or anybody that defends them.
“We have rolled out programs for those that want to learn skill acquisition, and there are places that you acquire that. We will support you to start your business after graduation and even ready to create business for you but our youth don’t want to work. Rather, they want you to give them money.
“We are going to ensure that those responsible for the Oreta incidents pay for their acts. We are not in a jungle where people take laws into their own hands”, he said emphatically.
He also warned against youths and family members illegally stopping people from moving building materials to their sites and extorting them.
“It is also wrong for anybody to stop people from taking building materials into their sites and some youth will forcefully stop them and extort money from them, claiming that you are council officials. I am categorically stating that council did not send you such errand and we are going to go after those perpetrating the acts without minding whose children they are”.
While stating that the council’s concern at the moment is ensuring safety of lives and properties from kidnappers and bandits, Aroyewun warned youths to get work to improve their economic power and stop causing more problems.
“We are concern by the issue of kidnappings, and banditry, unfortunately, youths are giving us another problem while we have not resolved those ones that we are battling with.
“We cannot continue like that and those that know those perpetrating these problems should tell them that the government is fed up and we can no longer tolerate their excesses”.
