Ogun Governor Asks CP To Redeploy, Probe DPO For Aiding Criminals

 
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has directed the Commissioner of Police in the state, Lanre Bankole, to immediately redeploy the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Lafenwa area in abeokuta.

The governor accused the DPO of
aiding and abetting crimes and criminality inside Lafenwa Market and surrounding area.

He also asked the CP to probe the DPO.

The governor also ordered the arrest of all miscreants involved in setting fire to a petrol-laden tanker that led to the explosion on Sunday.

The governor gave the directives on Monday during a visit to the scene of the Sunday tanker explosion.

The governor said, “There are complaints against the Divisional Police Officer here, I want that DPO investigated. I also want him removed from this place, because this is not the first time that complaints have been lodged against him.

“We’ve got several complaints against him about how he mismanages this place, particularly as it pertains to miscreants that come and disturb the traders. He arrests them, within five to 10 minutes, he releases them and that is why this place has continued to be restive. The thuggery in this place has not been contained.

“I want the CP to declare an emergency here in Lafenwa; I want every miscreant arrested because this kind of situation is totally unacceptable – where a tanker overturns, fuel that is highly inflammable is flowing through the drainage and someone wilfully ignites it so that they could cause chaos and begin to loot the market. This is very bad; it is just not acceptable; it is criminal.

“The police must ensure that everybody involved in this heinous crime is arrested and brought to book. We must make an example of them.”

The governor while commiserating with the traders who lost valuables in the fire incident, directed the Commissioner for Special Duties, Femi Ogunbanwo to take inventory of all goods lost, promising to provide palliative for victims.

The Babaloja of Lafenwa Market, Alhaji Musa Adeyinka, recounted the loss during the incident and expressed appreciation to the governor for coming around to sympathise with the market people.