The Ogun bullion van robbery

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LAST week, tragedy struck in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when the the Director of Finance and Accounts attached to the office of Governor Dapo Abiodun at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Taiwo Oyekanmi, was gunned down by robbers while returning from a bank where he had taken a bullion van to withdraw some funds for the state. The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, confirmed the killing, indicating that the incident happened on the NNPC Bridge, near Kuto, Abeokuta. The police boss said: “The Director of Finance with a driver and one other person left for Fidelity Bank to make some withdrawal. They went with a homemade bullion van. They were supposed to have a police escort, but for certain reasons, the person (policeman) was permitted to travel to attend to some issues. So, he was not part of the movement today. According to the story, after making the withdrawal, and on their way back to the office, they were accosted. A vehicle blocked them on top of the bridge. Five occupants of the vehicle came down and shot at the director and from their vehicle, they brought out a sledgehammer to force the receptacle where the money was kept open and they left with the money.” Oyekanmi was rushed to the state hospital, Ijaye, but it was too late.

Following the incident, an apparently distraught Governor Abiodun, who declared that the entire state workforce had been devastated by the incident, assured the family of the victim that those behind the incident would be caught and brought to justice. Governor Abiodun, who made the promise during a condolence visit to the home of the deceased, further assured that his administration would take full responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of the family he left behind. He described the deceased as diligent, hard-working, honest, and God-fearing. He said: “How could we imagine yesterday morning that we would be here this morning condoling with this family? We are all heavily burdened, the pain is indescribable. He left us asking questions since yesterday afternoon.”

This incident is, no doubt, extremely saddening. All over the country, insecurity remains widespread as criminals of all hues make life one long nightmare for law-abiding citizens. With respe

ct to the incident under reference, it is shattering that a high-ranking government official was cut down in cold blood without the perpetrators being apprehended by the security agencies. It is also strange that in this case, a bullion van was used without security back-up. If the security detail attached to the van had occasion to be away from work, the proper thing to have done was to liaise with the security agencies and obtain a replacement, at least for that transaction. A government official of the rank of Director of Finance and Accounts surely knew the procedure to take to obtain police protection in line with government rules. It is strange that a police escort took permission to be away, but there no was no alternative arrangement made to fill in for him. What was the urgency in the withdrawal that it was done without security back-up? Besides, the victim must have been responsible to a higher government official. Did the official give permission for that withdrawal without security back-up?

The robbery still speaks to the deteriorating and unenviable security situation in the country. It is regrettable that many Nigerians will continue to die at the hands of criminals who apparently believe that they will always get away with their crimes. Swift apprehension and punishment will surely deter would-be criminals. Again, the government has to institute much more effective security strategies that would dissuade many from resorting to crime, especially when they realise that the chances of their being caught and severely punished are high. This would be in addition to having a more productive environment that would make attraction to crime very minimal, an environment where most citizens would productively reproduce themselves and live a worthwhile and meaningful life on the proceeds of their legitimate productive engagements.

Governor Abiodun’s decision to take up the upkeep of the children left behind by the deceased is the right step to take. However, the governor, working with the security agencies, should ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book, and that mechanisms are put in place to forestall a recurrence of such calamitous incidents. We commiserate with the family and friends of the deceased and hope that they will have the fortitude to survive this terrible hour.

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