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Ikeja LG Fires Back At Arise TV’s Rufai Oseni, Defends Installation Of Security On Railway Bridge
The Ikeja Local Government has issued a strong official rebuttal to claims by Arise TV presenter Rufai Oseni alleging an “unauthorized installation of an iron gate” on the pedestrian bridge across the railway corridor at Ikeja Along, opposite Ajayi Farm Bus Stop in Lagos.
In a statement signed by Olalekan Oni, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, the council described the allegation as misinformation and said it was compelled to respond in the interest of public clarity and to prevent the spread of inaccurate narratives.
The council firmly rejected claims that the infrastructure falls under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Railway Corporation or the Federal Government. It maintained that the pedestrian bridge is owned by the Lagos State Government, making assertions of exclusive federal control “factually incorrect.”
According to the statement, the installation of the gate was neither arbitrary nor clandestine but followed a stakeholders’ engagement involving the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), representatives of the affected community, and the Local Government Council.
The meeting, it said, became necessary after the railway tracks were cordoned off and security concerns escalated within the corridor.
The council painted a grim picture of the area, describing it as a hotspot for criminal activities including robbery, pickpocketing, rape, vandalism, and other violent acts.
Residents, commuters, and particularly community youths were said to have borne the brunt of the insecurity over the years.
It further recalled that within the past year, the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Abiodun Faleke, facilitated the installation of 20 solar-powered streetlights along the corridor to enhance security.
However, the council said all 20 streetlights were vandalized and completely removed within three months — including poles, pipes, and electrical components — underscoring the gravity of the security challenges in the area
The local government insisted that the gate was erected strictly as a protective measure to safeguard lives and property, which it described as a primary constitutional responsibility of government, including the local council.
It stressed that the decision was taken in good faith, following consultation with relevant stakeholders, and in response to persistent threats to public safety.
Expressing disappointment over the media commentary, the council criticized what it termed a failure to verify claims with key stakeholders such as the Landlords’ Association, Community Development Association (CDA) leadership, the Local Government authority, LAMATA, and community youths before making public allegations.
It urged Oseni to uphold journalistic standards by ensuring balanced inquiry and fact-checking before presenting narratives as facts.
Reaffirming its commitment to residents’ safety and welfare, the Ikeja Local Government said it remains open to constructive dialogue but firmly rejects what it described as a misrepresentation of facts.
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