Government declares war on kidnappers, Yahoo boys

The Ogun State Government has declared war on kidnappers and fraudsters popularly refered to as Yahoo boys.

Governor Dapo Abiodun said the government will soon set to set up a financial crimes agency to deal with internet frauds and illegal financial transactions, especially those having to do with kidnapping, ransom taking and advanced fee frauds.

The Governor also disclosed that it is working with federal agencies and its Oyo State counterpart in the area of security along the border lines.

He spoke at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta during the launch of the state joint security outfit, code-named OP-MESA on Friday.

He said that his administration would not fold its arms and allow the state to be known for the wrong reasons.

“We will make Ogun State unhabitable for all criminals. The other day, I was in a meeting in Abuja and in attendance was the Chairman of EFCC, and sadly, he said to me that Ogun State tops the list on the ‘Yahoo Yahoo Boys’.

” In my response, I said I am not surprised because Ogun State is the education capital of this country and you will find such around educational institutions and he agreed with me.

“We have decided that we will set up our State Commission that will be targeted towards eliminating these sorts of financial crimes.

that we do not occupy that false place in this area. We will like to occupy the first in many areas, but not in fraud and Yahoo Yahoo.”

He said he had declared war on the resurgence of kidnapping that reared its head on the link road between the State and its neighbours.

Three days ago, I put a call through to my colleague in Oyo and we have decided that we are going to jointly collaborate in the area of providing security at the border posts between Ogun and Oyo states.

“He has decided that he will lead a team of his law enforcement architecture to Ogun State, so that we can have a meeting of minds and plan the way forward to take out these hoodlums. Ogun will not have a hiding place,” he said.

While affirming that OP-MESA was established to fight criminals across the State, he assured the people that members of the outfit would be picked to ensure they have the right discipline as well as ensure that they are committed to their assignment.

The Governor further said that the launching of the outfit with fifteen vehicles, two armoured personal carriers and communication equipment would be done on a quarterly basis until the outfit reaches its desired number.

He enjoined the people of the State to take ownership of the outfit by collaborating with the personnel of the outfit for a more secured State.

Abiodun, who called on the private sector to embrace the OPMESA initiative, noted that his administration would continue to be responsive to issues bordering on security.

He noted that the outfit would benefit from the support of the security trust fund through donations and contributions from the government and the private sector, added that the OPMESA will compliment other security outfits in the state.

The General Officer Commanding, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, comprising Lagos and Ogun State, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu commended the Ogun State Governor for reactivating the outfit and providing them with necessary equipment.

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