Mohammed Shosanya
The Oyo state chapter of All Progressives Congress,has implored the National Special Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbedokun,to carry out thorough investigation on the various allegations againstthe former boss of the Park Management System (PMS) in the state,Mr. Mukaila Lamidi with a view to unraveling his sponsors and other accomplices.
Lamidi,popularly known as Auxiliary was paraded on Thursday at the Eleyele, Ibadan headquarters of the Oyo State Police Command following his arrest by the officials of the Department of State Security last week.
The State Commissioner of Police, Adebola Hamzat, told press men during the parade that Lamidi would soon be arraigned in court on several charges which included; murder of one Rahmon which happened in Ibadan in 2021, possession of large cache of arms and ammunition among other crimes.
He was later arraigned same day and remanded at Agodi Correctional Centre.
In a statement issued on Friday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party cautioned against selective justice “as could not have committed the heinous crimes all alone and without the sponsorship or support of the powers-that-be in the state in view of the fact that he was not only a chieftain of the ruling party but also an associate of the PDP governor.
“Arrest and prosecution of Lamidi was long overdue in view of the fact he has always been a thorn in the flesh of the residents of Oyo state and the good people of Ibadanland in particular. It is on this note that we commend the officials of the DSS who eventually got him arrested following a long time of distress calls from his numerous victims.
“Until recently when the bubble burst between him and Gov. Seyi Makinde, the same man (Lamidi) was untouchable as he got the full backing of the Agodi Government House landlords to run a separate government in the state.
“There is no denying the facts that Lamidi and his vicious gang have violated many innocent people’s right since May 29, 2019 when Gov. Makinde came into power. Also, it is an established fact that he had in his possession cache of arms and ammunition which no security agency in the state could boast of.
“He displayed these weapons at will just like he did on several occasions when he went on political functions and campaigns in company of Gov. Makinde. There are even claims from certain quarters that weapons meant for Amotekun Corps in Oyo state ended up in the hands of Lamidi and his gang members.
“Apart from the 2021 incident in which one Rahmon was killed, Lamidi followed the entourage of the governor to Kogi state, Osogbo in Osun state, Ekiti state, Igangan in Oyo state and many other place where he used the stockpiled arms and ammunition brazenly since he was under the state cover. The question on the lips of the people is; “why did Gov. Makinde keep Auxiliary so close to the seat of power for four good years only to part ways with him immediately he got his second term mandate?
“Many members and leaders of our great Party (APC) have fallen victims of Mukaila Lamidi’s reign of terror in the past but this cannot make us support selective justice. Both the NSA and IGP should wade into the matter and ensure that thorough investigation is carried out to unmask those who sponsored or backed Lamidi’s criminal acts in the state.
“With thorough and unbiased investigation, a lot would be revealed and all those responsible for political violence, thuggery and brigandage in the state on the last five years would be made to face justice.” Oyo APC stated.
