Daily Independent 06-03-09

By Otei Oham (Abuja), Segun Adeleye
(Abeokuta) and Femi Ogbonnikan (Lagos)

Both the Ogun State Police Commissioner,
Emmanuel Oladipupo Ayeni, and his Deputy, Okey Ikemefuna, were on Thursday
redeployed by Inspector General of Police (IG), Mike Okiro, who named Argungun
Hashimu as Ayeni's replacement.

Hashimu's Deputy is Patrick Dukumor.

The redeployment of Hashimu, who was in
charge of Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Lagos, was confirmed by Force
Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu.

It was learnt that Okiro redeployed
Ayeni and Ikemefuna after prominent leaders in Ogun alleged bias in the way
they handled the political crisis in the state.

Security was said to have been lax on
Wednesday for the 15 lawmakers (G15) opposed to Governor Gbenga Daniel, whose
supporters invaded the Assembly sequel to the suspension of former Speaker,
Titi Shodunke-Oseni and Isaac Omosanya Solaja.

The tension led to the indefinite
adjournment of the Assembly.

Also on Wednesday, Abeokuta North
Council Chairman, Abeeb Ajayi, was arrested and later released over the death
of Lafenwa Divisional Police Officer, Isiaka Okeola, who was killed when he led
a team to confront armed robbers at a bureau de change.

A police source said Ajayi was picked up
for having once had "a heated argument" with Okeola, who was regarded
as a "very upright man."

However, an aide to Ajayi, who spoke on
condition of anonymity, ascribed another motive to his arrest.

"(Ajayi) had a very cordial
relationship with Okeola. I think some people are just interested in destroying
the name of Ajayi; it's just pure politics," he said.

The source recounted that Ajayi was
holding a meeting when the police team arrived his office, and they thought he
was hiding and resisting arrest.

"Before we knew what was going on,
the police team called for re-inforcement and Ajayi was whisked away. At
Eleweran, he was kept incommunicado; even his lawyer was not allowed to see
him. He was not allowed to talk to anybody."

He was later released around midnight.

House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji
Bankole, an indigene of Ogun, has sought the intervention of security agencies
in the crisis in the state Assembly and the prosecution of anyone fueling it.

A statement issued in Abuja on Thursday
by his Communications Adviser, Kayode Odunaro, urged Daniel to ensure the
safety of lives and property, and to work at unifying all the arms of
government.

"Report reaching (Bankole)
indicates that security in the state is tending towards a total breakdown of
law and order, with a Commissioner reportedly invading the quarters of a fellow
Commissioner and challenging him to a duel in connection with the crisis!"
the statement said.

"While condemning all acts of
lawlessness, intimidation and violence, (Bankole) condoles with (Daniel), who
is the Chief Security Officer of the state, and the police on the killing of
(Okeola) by armed men on Wednesday.

"He prays that God will grant his
family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

"He calls on all parties to the
crisis to give peace a chance and work towards the amicable resolution of the
crisis in the interest of peace, security, and development of the state."