Ogun Declares War On Fraudsters, Kidnappers, Sets Up Financial Watchdog

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

This is as the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, also stated that it will soon set up its own financial crimes agency to deal with internet frauds and illegal financial transactions, especially, those having to do with kidnapping, ransom taking and advance fee frauds.

The governor who made these disclosures in Abeokuta during the launch of the state joint security outfit, code-named  OP-MESA on Friday disclosed that it is working with federal agencies and its Oyo State counterpart in the area of security along the border lines added that his administration would not fold its arms and allow the state to be known for the wrong reasons

According to Abiodun, "We will make Ogun State inhabitable 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. Our state commission will collaborate with the Federal Commission so 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."

The governor also revealed that he had declared war on the resurgence of kidnapping that reared its head on the link road between the state and its neighbours.

In his words, "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."

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 maintained 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.

Governor Abiodun while noting that the outfit was not peculiar to the state alone as it currently operates in twenty-six states of the federation added that his administration was able to reactivate the outfit through a presidential consent.

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 adding rhat the OPMESA will compliment other security outfits in the state.