Residents of Ijesaland in Osun State have decried alleged “deportation” of persons suspected to be indigenes and non-indigenes of the state to Ilesa area.
The deportation which was later confirmed by Lagos State government through its commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, in a statement has continued to generate reactions from various quarters while Ijesaland remained at the receiving end.
Meanwhile, communities in Ijesaland who have been battling with influx of youths from northern parts of the country on mining expeditions now have to contend further with alleged miscreants deported to Osun by Lagos State government.
The Osun State government in a statement by the spokesperson to the state governor, Malam Olawale Rasheed raised the alarm of the alleged deportation which came to the fore through Sahara Reporters.
Rasheed calmed Osun residents’ nerves with the state governor’s reaction with the expectations that both state governments involved will do the needful by protecting the interest of the victims.
Recall that Governor Ademola Adeleke, enraged over the reported deportation was said to have had an interface with his Lagos counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the incident.
Sahara Reporters had on Saturday published a story about several luxury buses dropping hundreds of youth at Ilesa after allegedly rounding them up in several parts of Lagos State.
A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Malam Olawale Rasheed stated that eye witness accounts confirmed the dropping of the youth in several luxurious buses by a team suspected to be from Lagos State at strategic locations in Ilesa axis.
Rasheed said that in interaction with the Lagos State governor on the incident, Governor Adeleke expressed shock at the development, urging Governor Sanwo-Olu to look into the matter and put an end to it if the report was true.
“I spoke with my brother, Governor Sanwo-Olu on the matter. He too was surprised and he denied ever authorizing any such action.
“Governor Sanwoolu has promised immediate investigation to unravel the facts of the situation. The Lagos team will update us as quickly as possible.
“I am subsequently directing our security agencies in Osun to mount surveillance in and around Ilesa to track the deported youths and their destinations.
“I will update our people on this development. I urge residents to be calm while the security agencies carry out surveillance”, Governor Adeleke was quoted as saying.
While waiting for Adeleke’s update, Lagos State Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotosho claimed that an attempt to free Lagos of ceaseless influx of miscreants informed the exercise.
His words: “The ceaseless influx of miscreants, beggars, and the destitute onto Lagos streets has raised fears of insecurity of lives and property. This is unacceptable.
“As part of the exercise, 450 miscreants were rescued at the weekend. Of the lot, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they are facing in Lagos; 79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell,” he said.
Contrary to the claim of their deportation to their state of origin LEADERSHIP Friday investigation revealed that not all the deportees were from Osun State.
A victim simply identified as John who claimed to hail from Benue State now stranded in Ilesa said he is a mechanic who was caught by the web of deportation while on a visit to a kinsman.
He disclosed that the victims were mostly Nigerian citizens across the country adding that they were never given opportunity to defend themselves nor accorded human dignity.
Another victim who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed to be a bricklayer and based in Ilesa but was involved in an ongoing building project at Ketu in Lagos State.
A human rights activist, Comrade Tiamiyu Ajani expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged deportation demanding the veracity for such an unwarranted act.
According to him, arbitrary contravention of human rights should be challenged by appropriate authorities before Nigeria is turned to a Banana Republic.
Also, a security expert, Mr Akin Adeyi who equally condemned Lagos State action challenged the Osun State government to track down the deportees to ensure security in Osun.
He also charged the state government on its responsibility for security and protection of rights of the citizenry adding that if Lagos State is allowed to do this unchallenged, more will soon come.