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Majidun Community begs FG to withdraw naval officers protecting pipelines

The residents of Majidun community in Ikorodu on Wednesday in Lagos urged the Federal Government to withdraw the naval officers stationed there to protect petroleum products pipelines from vandalism. The Baale of Majidun, Chief Jethro Abejoye, made the call while reacting to the shooting of three men in the community by a drunken naval officer…
PETROLEUM PIPES AND OIL TANKER AT PIER

PETROLEUM PIPES AND OIL TANKER AT PIER

The residents of Majidun community in Ikorodu on Wednesday in Lagos urged the Federal Government to withdraw the naval officers stationed there to protect petroleum products pipelines from vandalism.

The Baale of Majidun, Chief Jethro Abejoye, made the call while reacting to the shooting of three men in the community by a drunken naval officer in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN reports that residents of the community had on Tuesday trooped to the Ikorodu highway to protest the shooting which occurred at about 3 p.m.

The trigger hungry officer had reportedly left his duty post to hang out at the Tipper Park where he shot the three men believed to be tipper drivers, leaving them in critical conditions.

Eyewitnesses said the shooting brought businesses in the area to a halt, while the victims were rushed to the hospital.

The victims who received several gunshots were immediately referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, the eyewitnesses said.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Patricia Amadin, confirmed the report, adding that the suspect had been arrested and was currently being detained at Naval Base, Ikorodu.

Amadin said that investigations into the matter had begun, while the victims were receiving treatment at LUTH.

The traditional ruler said that the major road leading into the community had been shut down and the economy of the area paralysed due to intimidation by the military personnel.

“We appreciate the effort of the Federal Government for the time the military have spent with us keeping surveillance against pipeline vandalism but we are saying enough is enough.

“It is high time they stopped it; if they can open our road for us, I think we will be happier.

“As it is now, a lot of people have left the community and the economy has been grounded.

“For a naval officer to open fire and shoot at human beings, I think is an embarrassment, in fact, I am surprised and this has got to the climax.

“We are calling on the authorities to please look into this, the Chief of Navy Staff should help us as we know that orders come from above,’’ Abejoye said.

Rev. Oloyede Megbodofo, Chairman, Majidun Community Development Association, also urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene and correct the recklessness of the military officers deployed to the area.

“Before now our community is peaceful but now we sleep with one eye closed.

“The naval officers intimidate us a lot and some of our daughters are raped,’’Megbodofo alleged.

Another resident, Sunday Ayeni, also alleged that some household property were seized and put to use by the officers.

“We want government to come to our aid, my mother’s house has been turned to a place where they use to perform all sort of atrocities,’’ Ayeni said.

Placard carrying Abosede Okon, urged the government to withdraw the military to their barracks.

She added that she was displaced from her shop which, she claimed, had been converted to a relaxation centre by the officers.

“We are tired of all these naval officers, there is no Boko Haram here, we are a peaceful people,’’ Okon said.

NAN reports that the residents in their hundreds took to the Ikorodu highway with placards bearing inscriptions like “we are tired of the military’’, “the military should go’’.

The Area N Police Commander, ACP Yekini Ayoku, came from Ijede area of Ikorodu with a team of policemen to talk to the people who later went back to their homes.

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