Dana plane crash site now robbers’ den

BARELY eight months after the Dana plane crash, in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), armed robbers have turned the crash site into a hideout.

Although the state government has barricaded site, rubble from the destroyed structures have not been removed and weeds have overgrown the once upon a residential area.

It will be recalled that over 153 persons died on June 3, 2012 when the ill-fated flight crashed into a two-storey building on 12 Olaniyi Street.
The site of Dana Air crash


The site of Dana Air crash

Vanguard gathered that residents of the area are now gripped by fear of attack from the robbers, who hide in the site at night.

It was also learnt that the bad state of the road which hinders vehicular movement is also aiding robbers in perpetuating their nefarious acts.

Mrs. Bashir, a resident of Olaniyi Street said that her son was attacked by the robbers while on his way to board the early morning train.

According to her, “Since my son was attacked, we have stopped leaving our home before 6:00 am. We are gripped by the fear of the robbers always.”

Engr. Adeleke Matthew, another resident, decried the poor state of the site, saying “it has contributed to insecurity in the community.”

Matthew noted that the government was not doing anything to improve the state of the crash site and the roads.

Chairman Akande Community Development Association, (CDA), Mr. Adewale Oriowo said: “It is true that anyone who passes through the site at night or before 6:00 am would be attacked by the robbers. At this time, the crash site is always dark.

“In fact, over four residents have been attacked. When the robbers are through with their nefarious acts, they hide in the crash site. And due to the present state of the site, no one will be bold to go inside to confront the robbers. The state of the site gives the robbers opportunity to see anyone trekking along the street while those outside wouldn’t be privileged to see them.”

The chairman of the CDA lamented that “none of the roads in the community is motorable. The state government has neglected Akande, a community on the border line between Lagos and Ogun state.”

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze had during the 2013 budget analysis said the government would within the year rehabilitate the network of roads linking the site of the Dana Plane Crash.

Oriowo continued, “We are hoping that the roads will be done this year as said by the commissioner. Previously what has been sustaining the road was the yearly contribution of N5, 000 from the each landlord.”

-- Vanguard