Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni deplored what he called the “conspiracy of silence” among Ikorodu monarchs over the killings and kidnappings in their domains.
He accused some Baales and chiefs of being “spies” to these kidnappers, who they also supplied food.
The police chief was speaking at an interactive forum with Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Ogunsanya and Oba of Igbogbo, Oba Semiu Kasali.
Owoseni said: “Killing for rituals must stop. With your support, we can stop it. Let us take ownership of our areas and expose the hoodlums amongst you. Some of the Baales and chiefs supply foods to these militants.
“Most of the Baales you have in Ikorodu are spies to these vandals and militants. This is why I am here. The conspiracy of silence must stop. We need intelligence from the traditional rulers. We have seen the shrines belonging to these militants, we have destroyed them. We have gained entrance into Ishawo creeks and forests.
“We need the traditional institution to come out boldly. If we join hands together, we can arrest all these bad boys. The speculation is that it is the traditional institution that is sending these boys to take people’s blood.
“We believe it is not true, but the traditional rulers should rise up against the killings. We need the traditional institution to come out boldly. Your farmers and fishermen know these kidnappers and militants but there is conspiracy of silence.
“They don’t want to expose these criminals. Partnership with you would help us fight these criminals effectively. Ikorodu axis is leading in kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and ritual killings.”
Oba Shotobi promised that the traditional institution in Ikorodu division would partner with security operatives to curb crime.
He said: “We are investigating the killings and other crimes in Ikorodu area and all the traditional rulers in Ikorodu would soon expose the hoodlums.”
Oba Bakare-Agoro blamed the rise in crime in Ikorodu on massive urban migration.
He said: “Development in Imota has made a lot of strangers to gain entrance into my community. No traditional ruler would be happy for his community to be known for criminality during his reign. Cultism is our problem in Imota.
“Few days ago, someone was shot, someone was also shot yesterday. Our challenge is that when we give information and the police arrest these criminals, after few weeks, the suspects are released.”
