Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday expressed shock and sadness over the murder of the Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Company, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu. Ambode told newsmen at the Lagos House, Ikeja that the late Disu was shot by assailants during an official visit to one of the villages within the zone in the early hours of Monday.

He urged the police to go all out and ensure that the perpetrators of the act were brought to book. “We are deeply touched with the loss of our dedicated officer at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu, who was until his death the arrow head of the Free Trade Zone Initiative. “He was killed within the Lekki Free Trade Zone this morning.

“It really saddens my heart and the heart of all of us because this was somebody that had been dedicated to his duty in the past 10 years,” Ambode said. The governor, who described Disu as a man committed to promoting the inflow of investment to Lagos State, expressed concern over the motives of those behind the killing.

He directed the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni to ensure that no stone was left unturned in order to determine the events that led to the attack on Disu. “This is a great concern and I have directed the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to investigate the cause of the death.
The Commissioner of Police must do a thorough investigation to unravel the root cause of what has just happened because he was on a peaceful mission to that place,” the governor said.

He, however, urged residents of the area to remain calm. Ambode said his administration would continue to ensure that the security of lives and property was accorded necessary priority in the state, and that the zone was safe for investors. “I want to appeal to all our people in Ibeju- Lekki axis that they should give peace a chance; it is in the interest of all Lagosians that we attract as many investors to the state.

“That is what we have been doing and improving upon in the last four months. I implore everybody to be calm. We will get to the root of this unfortunate incident,” he said. Ambode also reiterated government’s determination to create more jobs by bringing more investors to the zone, saying that this could only be achieved if the residents allowed peace to reign in the zone.

“I will like everybody to also know that we are trying our best, but we can only appeal to our people to allow peace to reign in the Free Trade Zone. “That is the only way we can allow more people to be involved in this trade zone. Let me tell our people that we are on the right course for the kind of job creation we want to bring to Lagos State,” he said.

Owoseni, on his part, assured the people of the state that the Police had swung into action to ensure that the culprits were brought to book. He said that 10 suspects had been apprehended and investigation was ongoing to determine if there were major sponsors behind the killing. “We will do a diligent investigation. We will ensure that those people that are behind it are arrested.

“Not just the people we see on the road are perpetrators; there may be sponsors. “We go after these sponsors and I can assure you we will ensure the investigation is carried out as speedily as possible, as we make sure they are diligently prosecuted,” he assured.