The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed sadness over the murder of the Lekki Free Trade Zone Managing Director, Mr. Tajudeen Disu killed yesterday as Ibeju-Lekki villagers and mobile police officers clashed in Okunraiye community near Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
Disu was among persons killed as Ibeju-Lekki villagers and mobile police officers clashed in Okunraiye community near Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, this morning.
The villagers said they were on a peaceful protest against “forceful takeover” of their land by the Lagos state government on behalf of Africa’s richest industrialist, Aliko Dangote and the Lekki Free Zone Ltd. when policemen attacked them reportedly killing two of the protesters instantly resulting in a crisis.
But addressing Government House Correspondents on the incident, Gov. Ambode appealed to residents of Ibeju Lekki area to give peace a chance by allowing government to carry out projects aimed at bringing development to their communities.
Ambode said, “Under this circumstance, gun shots were used by these villagers within the Lekki Free Trade Zone axis this morning. It saddens my heart and the heart of all of us because this was the person who had been dedicated to the job in the last 10 years, promoting the inflow of investments into Lagos State.
“I have directed the Commissioner of Police to do a thorough job into the killing. I want to appeal to all our people in Ibeju- Lekki to give peace a chance. It is in the interest of all Lagosians that we attract many investors as much as possible to the state, that is what we have been trying to do in the last four months.
“I plead with everybody to remain calm as we get to the root of this unfortunate incident. The only thing that we can appeal to the people is to allow peace to reign, in the free trade zone; that is the only way we can allow more people to be employed in this state.”
The Governor who expressed conviction that the state was on the right course, added that “I believe strongly on the kind of job opportunities we are bringing into Lagos State.”
Meanwhile, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, while briefing state House Correspondents disclosed that 10 suspects had been arrested so far, promising that the police would get to the root of the matter as investigation is on-going.
He said, “We have so far arrested 10 suspects and the arrest that were made are those that were directly responsible. We are still in the state of operation. More arrests will be made and we will do a very diligent investigation.
“We will ensure that those people behind the dastardly act are caught. We will go after their sponsors and I can assure you that investigation will be carried out as speedily as possible and diligently prosecuted.”
Earlier, a local chief in the area told Saharareporters that the Lekki Free Zone Ltd called in anti-riot policemen of “Mopol 49” to kill the protesters because they had insisted too long ago against forceful acquisition of the community land by the Lekki Free Zone Ltd for the construction of a large petrochemical refinery owned by Mr. Dangote.
The chief said the Mopol were led and supervised to the protest scene by Managing Director of the Lekki Free Zone Ltd, Mr. Disu.
But Mr. Disu was also among those downed as the police officers guarding him and protesters clashed, according to the local chief.
One of the police officers was also feared dead. The community has been taken over by soldiers reinforced to the community as the crisis escalated.
The village is currently being raided by Nigerian troops sent to the community as a result of the crisis. Many villagers have vacated the village out of fear.
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