Obas in Ikorodu on Thursday, April 13, 2017, rose from their thrones and domains to address the boiling issue of militancy and insecurity in Ishawo area which claimed the lives of an army captain, four policemen and a member of a vigilante group (OPC) and a few other civilians on Saturday, April 8, 2017.
With their Baales and traditional chiefs, the Obas visited the families of the victims and the community affected by the attack including the army barracks at Odogunyan to commiserate with the affected groups.
The Obas, who first assembled at the Ayangbure Palace in Ikorodu, left at about 10a.m on that day in a long convoy.
Their starting point was the 174 Battalion Army Barracks at Odogunyan where they were received by Major S.U. Obongha who stood in for his commanding officer who was said not to be around at the time of the visit.
His Royal Majesty Oba Kabir Shotobi told the Army Major that the Obas came to reflect their concern over the death of Capt Mohammed and to commiserate with the entire 174 Battalion and the Nigerian Army.
He regretted the unfortunate death of this patriotic officer, who was killed alongside others while trying to rescue some kidnapped victims in the Owutu/Ishawo axis of Ikorodu division.
While appreciating Governor Ambode’s efforts to improve security in the state and secure the lives of the residents, he urged community dwellers to be extra vigilant and to provide useful and instant information to security personnel to prevent this kind of incident in Ishawo.
Oba Shotobi urged the government to give soldiers and policemen more advanced equipment to help them combat criminals and militants. He also suggested the possible establishment of a police station in that Ishawo area and the creeks as a deterent.
Kidnappers are said to have resorted to abducting villagers, residents, landlords as soft targets to make money since oil bunkering in that area had been halted by military operations last year.
In his contribution, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Kasali reflected the concern of the Obas and chiefs in the division over these spate of attacks, killings and militant activities in the creek areas of the division and this grave incident of killing an army officer, policemen and a vigilante personnel.
He said it was the gravity of this trend that forced the Obas not to come alone but to do so with their Baales and Chiefs not only to commiserate with the families of the victim but also to rub minds with relevant groups on the way out of this ugly situation to prevent future occurrences.
Oba Kasali rejected the notion that Ikorodu had become a safe haven for criminals, hence the entire Obas in the division are ready to find a solution to this menace.
He confirmed that their visit to the community had enabled the Obas and chiefs to gather more information on the way forward. They made on the spot assessments and penciled down possible ways of tackling the issue including encouraging and mobilizing the residents for the challenges ahead especially in assisting the various security agencies to fight off the criminals and militants.
Oba Kasali in response to questions said that community policing is the best way of securing the local people; hence, the said the newly rebranded neighbourhood safety corps in Lagos state is a most welcome development coming at the right time.
In the Obas entourage were, Oba Shotobi of Ikorodu, Oba Kasali of Igbogbo, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya of Ibeshe and Obateru of Egbinland, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo as well as Baales and traditional chiefs.
The victims of the militant attack were Capt. Mohammed of 174 Battalion, four police officers attached to Owutu Police Station and a landlord who is a member of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).
The traditional entourage had visited Yewa area of Ishawo where the ambushed incident took place. The gallant security personnel lost their lives after successfully rescuing kidnapped victims who were kept in the riverine area by the militants.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, while sympathizing with the families of the victims, sought for greater government intervention in securing lives of the citizens, while appreciating Governor Ambode previous responses to such incidents.
Oba Kasali who said that the division had never witnessed such horrendous attacks as seen recently said to the victims’ families that it was for this reason the Obas and chiefs came first hand to see things and proffer solutions.
Also during the visit, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo of Egbinland, who spoke on behalf of the entire citizens of Ikorodu division and entire traditional institutions in the division said they heard of the unfortunate incident and decided to visit to sympathize with the victims and community affected.
He prayed that such should not happen again. The huge loss he said compelled Oba Shotobi to mobilize all other Obas to pay this visit.
At the 174 Battalion headquarter, Major S. U. Obongha described the death of Capt. Mohammed as a very sad loss. “We are touched by his death, likewise the federal government without mincing words. I thank you all for this great honour and I know that wherever Capt. Mohammed is he will appreciate this visit and his spirit will continue to fight for this nation.
The Lagos State Commander of Vigilante Group of Nigerian, Otunba James Udoma advocated for community policing and urged everyone to collaborate with the existing vigilante groups in Nigeria to curb crimes. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the ones who died fighting crimes.