Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Friday commissioned the 3.3-kilometre Adesan Road in Mowe, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, and announced the arrest of four additional suspects linked to the abduction of seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade.
The governor described the rescue of the students and the latest arrests as a significant breakthrough in the state’s fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes, reiterating that Ogun would not become a haven for criminals.
The announcement came a day after security operatives rescued all seven students alive and arrested two suspected members of the kidnap gang during the operation.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Abiodun thanked the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) and other student bodies for their patience, understanding and support throughout the period of the students’ captivity.
He attributed the successful rescue operation to the coordinated efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local hunters and vigilantes.
The governor also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS for their roles in the operation.
“Sometime before the end of July, some of our students were kidnapped by unscrupulous elements. To the glory of God, with the cooperation and collaboration of our law enforcement agencies and the support we received from Mr President, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS, we worked night and day.
“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,” the governor said.
Reaffirming his administration’s zero-tolerance stance against criminality, Abiodun said Ogun’s status as Nigeria’s industrial capital and gateway to the nation made it imperative to sustain a robust security architecture.
“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,” he declared.
Highlighting his administration’s infrastructure drive, the governor disclosed that 42 roads had been constructed or reconstructed across Ogun Central Senatorial District since 2019, with 12 located in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area. He added that about 1,600 kilometres of roads had been completed across the state’s three senatorial districts.
According to him, completed projects in Obafemi-Owode include the Abeokuta–Sagamu Interchange Road, Panseke–Adigbe Road, Journalists’ Estate Road in Arepo, Siun–Owode Road (Phase I), the rehabilitated Mowe–Ofada Road, Iyana-Oloke Junction–MAPOLY Road, Adesan Road, Kuforiji–Olubi Road, Adigbe–Laderin–Train Station Road, Sagamu–Ofada–Papalanto Road and Magboro–Makogi Road.
“In Ogun Central, within the last seven years, we have reconstructed 42 roads, and we are still constructing more.
“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.
“Even as we wind down this administration, we still have more roads to award and complete. There are additional roads in Obafemi-Owode, including the road linking Magboro, that will soon be commissioned. We will remain a promise-keeping administration,” he said.
The governor noted that Obafemi-Owode, as a border local government and the food basket of Ogun State where the renowned Ofada rice is cultivated and processed, deserves sustained investment in infrastructure to support its growing population and expanding economic activities.
He urged residents to protect the newly commissioned road by ensuring its proper use and maintenance.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, described Adesan Road as a strategic economic corridor that would improve connectivity between adjoining communities and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, boost commerce and ease the movement of people and goods.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Obafemi-Owode Local Government, Hon. Adesina Ogunsola, commended Governor Abiodun for his sustained investment in infrastructure, saying the road would significantly benefit traders, students, motorists and other road users.
Ogunsola disclosed that the local government had complemented the state’s efforts by constructing the 1.6-kilometre Adigbe–Ita-Baale–Idi-Mangoro–Police Post Road and the one-kilometre Ogidan–Gele Odun Road, while additional roads had been earmarked for reconstruction.
The member representing Obafemi-Owode State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Damilola Soneye Kayode, thanked the governor for fulfilling a long-standing request for the reconstruction of the road, noting that it serves about six communities and would significantly improve transportation and economic activities.
Similarly, the member representing Obafemi-Owode, Odeda and Abeokuta North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olumide Osoba, described the project as another demonstration of the administration’s commitment to inclusive development through strategic infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Olu of Mowe, Oba Oriyomi Yahaya, commended the governor for fulfilling his campaign promise to the people of Mowe and appealed for the reconstruction of the town’s market to further stimulate commerce and economic growth.
