Reps probe invasion of Osun varsity by air force men

*Urge FG to rehabilitate dilapidated J4-Ibiade-Iwopin Road in Ogun state

The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate the invasion of the Ipetu campus of the Osun state University by rampaging armed Air Force officers that left many innocent civilians injured.

This resolution is sequel to the adoption of the motion sponsored by Rep. Oluwole Oke, in which he drew the attention of the House to the alleged invasion which occurred on May 23, 2017.

He discussed that the invasion was carried out by Air Force personnel of the Nigerian Air Force Safety Institute, Ipetu-Ijesa, Osun state welding guns, clubs, knives and other lethal weapons.

The rampaging Air Force men, he added attacked students and staff of the university, severely injuring many who were subsequently hospitalized.

“As a result of the fear and apprehension that greeted the university community following the assault, the university had to be closed for a week and the students were forced to embark on unplanned journeys that subjected them to avoidable hazards and inconveniences,” he said.

Rep. Oke added that the action of the Air Force men is a throwback to the abusive patterns and behaviors of security forces during the bygone military era.

The assault according to him, amounted to a gross violation of the right to dignity of the human person enshrined in Section 34 of the Nigerian constitution.

He warned that if urgent steps are not taken to address these concerns, security agents could become emboldened to indiscriminate use of force to settle personal scores will lead to a breakdown of law and order.

The House therefore passed the resolution to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged assault and invasion of the university campus and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.

Meanwhile, the House on Tuesday urged the federal government to rehabilitate the J4-Ibiade-Iwopin Road leading to Iwopin Pulp and Paper Mill (IPPC), the largest pulp producing company in West Africa, located in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun state.

The House also resolved that the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) should commence the immediate rehabilitation of the road in the interim while the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing should include the reconstruction of the road in the 2018 budget estimate

It further directed the House Committees on FERMA, Works and Legislative and Compliance to ensure full implementation and report back to the House.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Adesgun Abdel-Majid Adekoya representing Ijebu North-Ijebu East\Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency of Ogun state

Moving the motion, Rep. Adekoya lamented that the road was constructed in 1977 to support the industrial conglomerates like Iwopin Paper Mill, Ilushin Rubber Limited, Michelin Rubber Estate, Lomiro Palm Oil Company,
Links Gateway Industrial and Petrogas Institute.

According to him, “the deplorable condition of th is adversely affecting the economic potentials of the area particularly the production pulp needed for paper mills, lumps for rubber production, consumable palm and vegetable oils, cassava and fishing activities in the areas.

He pointed out that the rehabilitation of the road would attract Investors to the area thereby encouraging economic activities, creating employment opportunities ‎and easing movement of travelers and agricultural produce across the South West Zone and Nigeria at large.while saving lives and eliminating armed Robbery attacks on the road.

When the motion was put into voice voting by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Lasun Yusuf who presided over the plenary, it was unanimously supported.