The Executive Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area (AWELGA), Hon. Hope Ikiriko has applauded the officers and men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Akinima, the local government headquarter, following the busting of a criminal gang which led to the arrest and parading of suspected criminals that have been unleashing terror on innocent citizens in the LGA.
The AWELGA boss who made the commendation when he led the JTF teamand heads of security agencies on a fact finding mission on Thursday, said the maximum protection of the lives and properties of the people remain paramount in his agenda.
Hon. Ikiriko reiterated his commitment to protect everyone living and doing business in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
Stressing that the successes recorded by his administration in the area of security cannot be over-emphasized, the Chairman called on the people to volunteer reliable and relevant information that would lead to the arrest of criminal elements to the Council and security agencies.
He noted that the security architecture of the area is usually evaluated over time by various security agencies working in synergies with the Council Authorities to make Ahoada West local government area unsafe for any criminal elements.
Hon. Ikiriko also debunked recent media reports on alleged death of over 20 persons in Owube, describing it as false and unfounded. In his words, “We have it in our records that no such massive death of over 20 persons has occurred since 2018, when I assumed office as the Council Chairman. We have not also received any petition from any community not even Owube community as regards to cultists related activities as alleged”.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Commander of the Joint Task Force,Akinima, G. Adamu called on members of the public not to be threatened by the presence of security operatives patrolling the area them by volunteering useful information that will lead to the apprehension of any criminal elements or group.
He advised especially residents of the area to stop frustrating the frantic efforts of security operatives by serving as informants to the criminals in the area, while also assuring that the identities of anyone who shares vital security information to security agencies would not be exposed.
The suspects, in their confessional statements however, admitted to have been unleashing terrors on innocent citizens within and around Akiogbologbo,Mbiama,Ishaiyi, Agbo and Okarki Roads as well as other places of the Local Government Area.
The suspected criminalsinclude four males and three females all of whom are said to hail from neighboring Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
