Comptroller General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede has appealed for calm following the clash between his men of the Oyo state command and the Chairman of Ibadan North local government, Mr Sahib Oladayo.
This is as he has ordered an investigation into the incident, promising to appropriately sanction any personnel found to have acted unprofessionally.
Persons to include the Ibadan North LG Chairman were injured in Wednesday’s clash that ensued when Oladayo visited the Immigration office, Agodi, and was shouted at to leave where he stood, alongside his other aides and LG staff.
Chairmen of all 33 local government areas in the state, led by Mr Sikiru Sanda had, on Thursday, condemned one of their own, Oladayo, mandating the Immigration boss to fish out and sanction those personnel behind the assault or vacate their offices across the state.
However, the Immigration boss, in his reaction to the incident, on Thursday night, bemoaned the unnecessary scuffle over a minor misunderstanding that was not quickly resolved.
Babandede, though the Immigration public relations officer, Amos Okpu, avowed that the service holds the Chairman of the Council and his management team in high esteem and had ordered an investigation into the incident.
Babandede stressed that the Immigration service remained committed to maintaining a cordial relationship with Ibadan North Local Government and ensuring amicable
resolution of the matter.
The statement read, “The attention of the Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Muhammad Babandede
MFR has been drawn to some reports about a misunderstanding between some of our
Personnel at the Oyo State Command Office and Officials of the Ibadan North Local
Government Area yesterday.
“The Comptroller General is disturbed that a minor misunderstanding was not quickly
resolved leading to an unnecessary scuffle between two friendly agencies that have
maintained very cordial relationship over the years.
“The Ibadan North Local Government Council remains one of the best immediate
neighbours and indeed the nearest democratic institution to the Oyo State Command
Complex.
Our agency has huge regards as well as honour for democratic institutions and
thus should not be involved in anything to the contrary. The Service and Ibadan North
Local Government Council have continued to enjoy excellent neighbourliness over the
decades thereby making this altercation most unfortunate.
“The Comptroller General holds the Chairman of the Council and his Management team
in high esteem and so has ordered an investigation into the unfortunate development.
“He appeals for calm stressing that due diligence will be taken to not only ensure amicable
resolution of the matter but that any Personnel found to have acted unprofessionally is
appropriately sanctioned.”
