The Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on Friday threatened to dethrone and prosecute any traditional ruler found to be culpable in of aiding and abetting kidnappers in the state.
Governor Ambode gave the vow on Friday, against the backdrop of a statement credited to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, that some monarchs were aiding and abetting criminal activities in the state.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, who spoke while addressing newsmen as part of activities marking the second anniversary in office of Governor Ambode, said the state government would not hesitate to apply the full weights of the law against any traditional ruler, no matter how influential, if found to be aiding and abetting criminal activities in the state.
Folami lamented the situation, even as he disclosed that he met over 500 obas and chiefs on Thursday to convey to them the hard feelings of the state government and faith awaited whosoever was found to be involved in such unholy act.
“Intelligence has revealed that some of them (oba), particularly from Ikorodu and Ishawo axis collaborate with militants to kidnap innocent residents. Yesterday, I told them to their face that this might lead to de-robing, dethronement and prosecution if investigation revealed that any monarch is part of the criminality,” he warned.
“It is a cankerworm that we will fight together, no one is free, what we need is vigilant and support of government.
Any baale, chief, or oba found to be colluding with militants and other criminals to cause unrest in Lagos State will have their titles revoked, dethroned and prosecuted,” he warned.
The commissioner, however, assured that the present administration would continue to invest in the security of the state with a view to be responsive to the safety needs of the people of the state.
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