The Joint Security Taskforce, on Wednesday, confirmed the arrest of two suspected drug peddlers and the demolition of criminal hideouts and shanties at Orita- Challenge area in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.
It was gathered that the raid was carried out in response to various petitions by the people living in the communities.
Investigation further revealed that the suspects were arrested during a raid carried out by the security operatives and the Local Government Environmental Team led by the council chairman, Akeem Olatunji.
Olatunji, who confirmed this during an interview with the journalists in Ibadan, the state capital, said the operation followed several petitions received from members of various communities in the area about nefarious activities of suspected individuals and groups.
He explained that during the operation, illegal and unauthorised structures and shanties, which have served as hideouts for criminal elements in the area, were also dismantled by the joint taskforce.
He said, “A joint taskforce of Oluyole Local Government came to Orita-Challenge in Ibadan, where some illegal structures where individuals and some faceless persons were inhabiting.
“We have received a lot of petitions from members of various communities in the area with regard to their nefarious activities, in which they rob, maim, rape, and even sell drugs.
“So, as a responsive and responsible government, we are left with no choice but to move in immediately to restore public confidence and peace.
“Prior to this operation, they had been well notified ahead of time to vacate this place. In fact, we gave them a 30-day notice to that effect, but they didn’t take note.
“Although we only made an arrest of two persons caught with substances suspected to be narcotic drugs, others have been ordered to vacate the place immediately. They’ve also been warned not to engage in anything that will disturb the public peace of the area.
“The police is already handling the case of the arrest made, and I believe in due time, further investigation will be concluded to fast-track prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others like them.
“The exercise was conducted in collaboration with multiple security agencies, including Amotekun, the Nigeria Police Force, Operation Burst, Civil Defence, and the Environmental Task Force, all working together to strengthen safety within the local government.”
In his brief remark, one of the community leaders and Chairman of PCRC in the area, Olayinka Banjo, commended Olatunji’s unrelenting commitment to the development of Oluyole local government.