Ogun government to demolish houses harbouring criminals, jail owners as collaborators

Worried by increasing insecurity in its domain, the Ogun State Government has announced drastic measures to combat crimes and secure lives and property of its citizens.

To perfect the move Governor Dapo Abiodun stressed that henceforth any property found to be harbouring criminals would be demolished and the owners jailed after prosecution in court.

He also disclosed that to effectively fight crimes and criminality, the state government would raise funds to re-launch the state’s Security Trust Fund to allow individuals and stakeholders to make voluntary contributions.

Immediate past Governor Ibikunle Amosun had launched a similar Trust Fund during his first tenure to raise funds to tackle insecurity.

Abiodun spoke at a media briefing in his office at Abeokuta, saying: “Any property or facility found to be a hideout to criminals will not only be taken over by the state but will be demolished.

“The landlords will also be arrested and handed over for prosecution for harbouring criminals because we will consider and treat them as accomplices.

“We are working towards strengthening our security apparatuses in the state. We are re-organising the Ogun State Security Trust Fund and it will comprise key stakeholders, government officials and some of our retired law enforcement officers.

“We will be re-launching the State Security Trust Fund. We will ensure that it has the right to cooperate governance so that it can provide the required funding for our law enforcement agencies.”

The state government was reacting to the kidnapping of a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor and others at Ogbere on the Sagamu-Benin-Ore expressway last Wednesday, but the police and other security agents rescued them on Friday.