Oyo State government has explained the rationale behind the demolition of buildings belonging to alleged sponsors of last Saturday’s invasion of the State Secretariat.
Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, William Akin-Funmilayo, who spoke on Thursday, said that the buildings were demolished based on court orders.
DAILY POST reported that the state government on Tuesday demolished the buildings belonging to Onitiri-Abiola who is believed to be one of the sponsors of the invasion.
Akin-Funmilayo, in a statement made available to DAILY POST, stated that two buildings allegedly belonging to the sponsors of the attack located at Shagari area,Toye Oyesola Street, Boluwaji and Zone 4, Irorun Oluwa community, both in Oluyole Local Government area, Ibadan, have been demolished by the state government.
He also disclosed that the state government demolished a facility being used by suspected illegal miners to process and package lithium out of the state.
He added that the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde would continue to prioritise safety of lives and properties of the people of the state.
According to him, “The demolition was carried out two days ago and was based on an Oyo State High court order. The court order was to the effect that the structure should be demolished.
“I will say one or two things about the order. It has to do with the Yoruba Nation agitators as this building belongs to them as contained in the court order and it is captured in the court order that it is believed that the building housed dangerous weapons and firearms.
“The activities going on there constituted a threat to peace and tranquility in Oyo State.
“I will advise residents around these areas to have a rest of mind, government is out there to secure lives and properties and when such a threat comes up, the government will take immediate actions.
“However, I want to implore residents around these areas to always inform the appropriate authorities whenever they notice any suspicious activity in their area. As His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde, always says, ‘if you see something say something’.
“Security should be the concern of everyone in the society; the government can only act on the information that you give it.
“Once again, I implore everyone, whenever we see anything that could be a threat to lives or peaceful living, please bring it up to the attention of the government to protect lives and properties.
“Similarly, the state government has also demolished a facility being used by suspected illegal miners to process and package lithium out of the state.
“The facility, located at Idi Ayunre, Oluyole Local Government area of the state, was demolished after obtaining a court order for that purpose.”
