The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, on Monday, July 10, 2017, sought the support of the Okada Riders Association in the fight against the dreaded cult group, Badoo in the division during a meeting he had with them at his palace in Ikorodu.
Speaking during the meeting, the monarch stated that the place of Okada riders in the fight against the ritualistic activities in the division cannot be over-emphasized since they were the first contacts with people travelling to the interior parts of the town.
According to him, the riders apparently know every nooks and crannies of the community; hence, the reason people patronize them in order to get to their destinations quickly. Oba Shotobi, therefore, urged them to partner with security agencies in the division to fight and fish out Badoo cult members and other criminal elements in the area.
He also charged them to report anyone suspected to be a criminal to the Police since the force needs information in order to work effectively. He also cautioned them against carrying out jungle justice against any criminal since such actions do not give the security officials the opportunity to interrogate the suspect before they are lynched.
According to the Ayangbure, “It has been observed that Okada riders contribute significantly whenever jungle justice was to be meted out against any suspect, going by the number of motorcycles that were seen at the scene of the incident.” He told them not to take laws into their hands but to give security operatives chance to perform their duties.
However, the newly appointed D.P.O of Owutu Police Station, CSP Issah Lawal, assured the riders of the Police’ readiness to work with them on any information given by them. He said they were free to come to his office to report anyone suspected to engage in criminal activities or has a tendency to carry out any criminal act, urging them to see Police as their friends and not enemies. DPO Issah Lawal advised them to be law abiding and to be security conscious in consonance with the officials of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), who warned them against jungle justice.
The meeting had in attendance security operatives, Baales, traditional Chiefs and large turnout of Okada riders in the town.