Sagamu Killings: DSS now a Tool of Political Witch-Hunt, PDP Alleges

It has become necessary for us to call the attention of the general public to the Dapo Abiodun-led government’s nefarious resolve to continue to oppress and witch-hunt members of the opposition with the use of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.

It has come to the notice of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ogun State Chapter that Mr. Dapo Abiodun, a supposed Commissioner of Officiate of Ogun State, has successfully embedded mounting enormous pressure on the officials of the DSS, Ogun State Command to release the SAGAMU Local Government Chairman, Hon. Afolabi Odulate, who was invited just yesterday as a result of the ongoing investigation into the killings and brigandage which erupted in Sagamu town some days ago, where more than 20 lives were reportedly lost. Despite the fact that the Chairman has been found to be connected with some of the cultists.

With this development, it is now crystal clear that Mr. Abiodun, who swore to protect the lives and properties of Sagamu residents is not interested in the security of the lives and properties of the people; not only in Sagamu Local Government but indeed, in the Ogun State in general.

For us, as a responsive and responsible political entity, we condemn, in very strong terms and also frown at the haste at which the DSS has let the duo of Hon Odulate off the hook while a very strong and vibrant opposition figure, Hon. Damilare Bello, “DRE,” the representative of Sagamu 1 State Constituency, who was arrested before them, still languishes in DSS facility.

As a fact, to say that the Governor is merely playing politics with violence and killings in the State is indeed, to say the least. Sad enough, security institutions such as the DSS are being deployed to silence and intimidate the opposition in Ogun State.

Again, it would be recalled that this is not the first time Mr Odulate, the Chairman of Sagamu LG has been arrested by security agencies. He was arrested during the March 18, 2023 election with pump actions and other dangerous weapons which was not far-fetched from the activities that led to total violence in many polling units in Sagamu LG during the Governorship election but was miraculously released even when arrested in the company of other suspected criminals with assorted rifles.

Have opposition elements been singled out for persecution while some elements in the DSS are being deployed to silence and intimidate them?

With the release of these APC top guns, it has become increasingly clear, even to the blind that there is a concluded plot to cover up all details about the Sagamu killings. The seeming cover-up is being deliberately coordinated at the top hierarchy of the ruling APC using the cover of the government, particularly the DSS. How else does any discerning mind explain a situation when somebody who was found with absolutely nothing incriminating is left to rot in chains while notorious elements like Ogbeni Afolabi Odulate with records of gun-running is allowed to go home because of his links with a ruling party and government?

It is, therefore, so worrisome that a high sense of devotion to the well-being of the State and professionalism which our institutions should be completely detached and castrated in this case. It has manifestly reduced itself to the level of political considerations, to say the least.

This is indeed a most tragic moment for the innocent members of Sagamu town and Ogun State in general.

Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole
Publicity Secretary
PDP Ogun State.