10 arrested as Alhaji Tajudeen Disu, LFTZ MD is killed in Lagos

October 12, 2015 – Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) was on Monday murdered by unknown assailants in Lekki, while returning from a meeting with members of host communities in the LFTZ.

But Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr. Fatai Owoseni said at the briefing that 10 of the assailants have already been arrested and that investigation is on to determine if they were sponsored.

The LFTZ is situated on 16, 500 hectares acquired from host communities and is home to investment worth several billions from over 80 companies. It is home to 650,000 bpd Dangote Refinery Complex and Fertilizer Plant projected to cost $11 billion and a deep seaport valued at N237.3 billion.

Already, Nigeria’s businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has mobilized all equipment required to set up the refinery and fertilizer plant to site, while other companies are also on site.

The LFTZ project is envisaged to create over 20,000 direct jobs and 8,000 engineers during construction while over 169,000 jobs would be generated directly and indirectly when it becomes fully operational, government officials have said.

But activities of the host communities are likely to impact negatively on the project.
While briefing State House correspondent on Monday, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode expressed shock and sadness over the murder of the Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Company, Mr Tajudeen Disu.

He called on the police to go all out and ensure that perpetrators behind the act are brought to book.
He said Disu was shot by assailants during an official visit to one of the villages within the zone in the early hours of Monday.

“We are deeply touched with the loss of our dedicated officers 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 has been dedicated to his duty in the past ten years”.

The Governor described the late Disu as a man who was 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 is left unturned in order to determine the events that led to the attack on late Mr Tajudeen 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 as his administration will continue to ensure that the security of lives and properties is accorded necessary priority in the State and that the zone is 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 improve upon in the last four months. I implore everybody to be calm. We would 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 can only be achieved if the residents allow 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 cause for the kind of job creation we want to bring to Lagos State”

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni on his part, assured the people of the state that the Police have swung into action to ensure that the culprits were brought to book saying that some suspects have been apprehended and investigation is on-going to determine if there are major sponsors behind the killing.

“We have so far arrested 10 suspects and the arrests we have made are those that are directly responsible. We are still in the centre of the operation to be made”.

“We would 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, and there may be sponsors. We go after these sponsors and I can assure you we ensure the investigation is carried out as speedily as possible as we make sure they are diligently prosecuted”, the Police boss assured.The community have been restive in recent times and obviously not happy with terms of settlement.