Governor Abiodun reveals arrest of four more kidnappers, opens new road

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Friday opened the 3.3-kilometre Adesan Road in Mowe, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area. He also announced the arrest of four more suspects in the kidnapping of seven students from Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade.

Governor Abiodun called the rescue of the students and the arrest of the suspects a big win in the state's fight against crime. He said Ogun State would not become a safe place for criminals.

It was mentioned that two members of the kidnapping gang were arrested on Thursday during the operation that led to the students' rescue.

At the ceremony, the governor thanked the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), and other student groups for their patience and support while the students were held.

He credited the successful rescue to the teamwork of security agencies like the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local hunters, and vigilantes.

Governor Abiodun also recognized the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director-General of the DSS.

"A while before the end of July, some of our students were kidnapped by bad people. Thanks to God, with the help of our law enforcement agencies and support from Mr. President, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director-General of the DSS, we worked tirelessly.

"Yesterday, we rescued all seven students alive. We have arrested four more of the kidnappers, while others are still on the run. We will catch them too," the governor said.

Reiterating his administration’s stance on crime, Governor Abiodun emphasized that Ogun State, as Nigeria’s industrial capital and entry point to the nation, will not allow criminals to operate.

"Ogun State will not permit crime. Those who try to challenge us will be tracked down, caught, and face the law," he declared.

Infrastructure Development

Talking about his administration’s work on infrastructure, Governor Abiodun shared that 42 roads have been built or refurbished in Ogun Central Senatorial District since 2019. He noted that 12 of these roads are in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area. He added that about 1,600 kilometres of roads have been completed across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The roads finished in Obafemi-Owode include the Abeokuta, Sagamu Interchange Road, Panseke, Adigbe Road, Journalists’ Estate Road in Arepo, Siun, Owode Road (Phase I), the revived Mowe, Ofada Road, Iyana-Oloke Junction, MAPOLY Road, Adesan Road, Kuforiji, Olubi Road, Adigbe, Laderin, Train Station Road, Sagamu, Ofada, Papalanto Road, and Magboro, Makogi Road.

"In Ogun Central, in the last seven years, we have rebuilt 42 roads, and we are still working on more.

"When we took office on May 29, 2019, we made many promises. Today, it feels good to see how far we have come in keeping those promises.

"Even as this administration comes to an end, we still have more roads to build and complete. There are additional roads in Obafemi-Owode, including the road linking Magboro, that will be opened soon. We will keep our promises," he said.

The governor noted that Obafemi-Owode is a border local government and the food basket of Ogun State, known for producing and processing Ofada rice. He said this area needs more investment in infrastructure to support its growing population and economy.

He urged residents to take care of the newly opened road by using and maintaining it properly.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, called Adesan Road a key economic route that will connect nearby communities to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, boost trade, and make transportation easier.

The Chairman of Obafemi-Owode Local Government, Mr. Adesina Ogunsola, praised Governor Abiodun for investing in infrastructure. He said the road will greatly help traders, students, drivers, and other road users.

He added that the local government has supported the state by building the 1.6-kilometre Adigbe, Ita-Baale, Idi-Mangoro, Police Post Road and the one-kilometre Ogidan, Gele Odun Road, with plans for more roads to be reconstructed.

Hon. Damilola Soneye Kayode, who represents Obafemi-Owode in the Ogun State House of Assembly, thanked the governor for fulfilling a long-standing request for the road's reconstruction. He said it serves about six communities and will greatly improve transportation and economic activities.

Hon. Olumide Osoba, who represents Obafemi-Owode, Odeda, and Abeokuta North in the House of Representatives, also praised the governor for delivering another important infrastructure project. He called it a sign of the administration’s commitment to development.

In his comments, the Olu of Mowe, Oba Oriyomi Yahaya, thanked Governor Abiodun for keeping his campaign promise to the people of Mowe. He asked the governor to also rebuild the town’s market to boost trade and economic growth.