REFUTAL OF COMMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO THE OJORO OF IJORA (OBA FATAI AROMIRE) AND APPEARING IN BOTH PRINT AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA, WITH RESPECT TO BAYELSA STATE GOV’TS PROPERTY SITUATE AT. 251 APAPA ROAD, IJORA, LAGOS

The attention of the managing director of Bayelsa Property and Investment Company Limited, Mr. Azana Azazi, has been drawn to a number of recent print and electronic media articles attributed to the Oba of Ijora in Lagos State. According to the said PUBLICATIONS, the Oba of Ijora apparently blames the Bayelsa State Government for abandoning a property used by suspected terrorists in Ijora to store arms and as a hideout for suspected terrorists. The Oba is also apparently urging the Lagos State Government to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the property belonging to Bayelsa State.

While it is true that Bayelsa State Government owns a property in Ijora (located at No. 251 Apapa Road), we want to state unequivocally, and with reference to page 6 of the Punch newspaper, of Tuesday 26th 2013, that the apprehended culprit was not arrested at the said property belonging to Bayelsa State Government. Neither were any arms or bomb manufacturing materials found at the said property belonging to Bayelsa State. Rather, the suspected terrorist, arms and bomb manufacturing materials were found at No. 24 Aromire Street Ijora, which is two streets away from No. 251 Apapa Road, (about a distance of 1km) and is in no way connected to Bayelsa State.

 It should be noted that a thorough search was carried out by the relevant security agencies at No. 251 Apapa Road, belonging to Bayelsa State, and no incriminating evidence was found. It should also be noted that Bayelsa State has not at any time abandoned her property in Ijora, rather the property has several warehouses with lawful tenants, and is protected by 24 hour armed security. Therefore the insinuation attributed to the Oba of Ijora is incorrect and should be entirely disregarded by the public.

SIGNED:
MR. AZANA AZAZI (Managing Director)