The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) has called out the Senator representing the people of the western Senatorial District, Sen. Tolu Odebiyi as a “passive and dormant” Senator.
This came as a result of the Senator not addressing the issue of the killings at the border areas of the Ogun State by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Senator Tolu Odebiyi in response has described the accusation as being “unexpected and unfair”, adding that he student bodies should rather join hands with him in the fight against the killings of the youths at the border area of the state.
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He said;
“Certainly, the unpleasant situation that led to the killing of 15-year-old Master Rilwan Bello and Mr. Kehinde Ogunji by the men of the Nigeria Customs is totally condemnable and I commiserate with the families of the deceased,”
The senator also added that he had on these dates, August 25, 2019, February 22, 2020, and March 14, 2020, addressed the situation between the people and the NCS, and also tabled the situation at the plenary which condemned the act by the NCS.
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In a report on DAILY POST when he came back from the Niger Republic on national assignment on 14th of March, 2020, he said;
“I have responded to the chaos in Imasayi by speaking to the Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, who was firmly briefed and gave assurances that the situation is under control, as he has gotten commitments from the military and Nigeria Customs officers on ground.”
He also told DAILY POST that;
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“the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, and written an official letter to the state Commissioner of Police and heads of relevant security agencies in the state, in order to find a lasting solution to these unfortunate incidents.”
Sen. Tolu Odebiyi said he had met with some community leaders and Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali who is the Comptroller General of Customs to devise ways of addressing the killings of the people by the NCS.
Sen. Tolu Odebiyi said in a statement;
“In furtherance to my extraordinary dedication to continue to protect the interest of my people, I assure that further proactive and legislative interventions will be employed to stem the bad situation after the COVID-19 lockdown,
Odebiyi said he would like all stakeholders, including the students’ bodies to “understand that we all need to join hands and ensure that our homes, schools and communities are safe for all.”