Oyo State Government on Tuesday demolished a residential property allegedly used as a hideout by criminal elements and a storehouse for arms and ammunition in a renewed crackdown on insecurity across the state.

The property, comprising a storey building and two bungalows within a fenced compound, is located at Gbenku community, Arubiewe Road, off Olodo Garage in Egbeda Local Government Area of Ibadan.

The demolition exercise was carried out by officials of the state government led by the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, alongside operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and officials of Egbeda Local Government Area.

Speaking during the exercise, Mogbonjubola said security agencies uncovered a cache of weapons in the building during an investigation and subsequently alerted the state government, which approved the demolition of the property.

According to him, the action forms part of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration’s ongoing efforts to combat crime, curb kidnapping and guarantee the safety of lives and property across the state.

The commissioner said the government would not relent in its determination to deny criminal elements safe havens within the state, stressing that any property found to be aiding criminal activities would face appropriate sanctions in line with the law.

He noted that the demolition sends a strong message to individuals and groups involved in criminal activities that Oyo State would not tolerate any act capable of threatening public peace and security.

Mogbonjubola also called on residents to support the government’s security initiatives by remaining vigilant and promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities within their communities to relevant security agencies.

He urged landlords and property agents to conduct thorough background checks on prospective tenants before renting out their properties, noting that such precautionary measures could help prevent criminal elements from infiltrating residential neighbourhoods.

The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and sustain efforts aimed at tackling insecurity in all parts of the state.

Also present during the exercise were the Chairman of Egbeda Local Government Area, Sikiru Sanda; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Prince Goke Adenrele; and other senior officials of the ministry.

The demolition is the latest in a series of measures being implemented by the state government to address security concerns and safeguard residents from criminal activities.