Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Friday commissioned the 3.3-kilometre Adesan Road in Mowe, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, declaring that the state would not provide a safe haven for criminals.
The commissioning came as the governor announced the arrest of four additional suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Remo North Local Government Area.
Abiodun disclosed that the four suspects were arrested following the successful rescue of the seven students by security agencies on Thursday.
The governor said the operation was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Security Network Agency, local hunters and vigilantes.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS for their support during the operation.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Abiodun said, “Yesterday, we rescued all seven students alive. We have arrested four more of the kidnappers, while the remaining suspects are still on the run. We will arrest them as well.”
He added, “Ogun State will not allow crime or criminality. Those who come here to test our resolve will be tracked down, smoked out, arrested, and made to face the full weight of the law.”
The governor also commended the National Association of Nigerian Students, National Association of Ogun State Students and other student bodies for their patience and support while the students remained in captivity.
On infrastructure development, Abiodun said his administration had constructed or reconstructed 42 roads across Ogun Central Senatorial District since 2019, with 12 of the projects located in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.
According to him, about 1,600 kilometres of roads have been completed across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the Adesan Road was part of the administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and supporting economic activities in Obafemi-Owode, which he described as a border local government and the food basket of the state.
“In Ogun Central, within the last seven years, we have reconstructed 42 roads, and we are still constructing more,” the governor said.
“When we assumed office on May 29, 2019, we made several promises. Today, it is gratifying to look back and see how far God has helped us in fulfilling those promises.”
Abiodun urged residents to protect the newly commissioned road and ensure that it was properly used and maintained.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, described the Adesan Road as a strategic economic corridor that would improve connectivity between adjoining communities and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Akinsanya said the project would also boost commercial activities and ease transportation within the area.
The Chairman of Obafemi-Owode Local Government, Adesina Ogunsola, commended the governor for his investment in infrastructure, saying the road would benefit traders, students, motorists and other residents.
Ogunsola disclosed that the local government had also constructed the 1.6-kilometre Adigbe-Ita-Baale-Idi-Mangoro-Police Post Road and the one-kilometre Ogidan-Gele Odun Road.
Similarly, the member representing Obafemi-Owode State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Damilola Soneye Kayode, thanked the governor for fulfilling a long-standing request for the reconstruction of the road.
Kayode said the road served about six communities and would improve transportation and economic activities in the area.
The member representing Obafemi-Owode, Odeda and Abeokuta North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Olumide Osoba, also praised the administration for delivering the project.
The Olu of Mowe, Oba Oriyomi Yahaya, commended Abiodun for fulfilling his campaign promise to residents of the town and appealed to the governor to also reconstruct the Mowe market.
