The Oyo State Government has begun the demolition of an abandoned hotel popularly known as De Castle Inn in Ibadan.
The exercise which took place over the weekend, was carried out as part of efforts to enhance public safety and address rising security concerns in the area.
The structure, located at the Total Garden Area along the ever-busy Mokola-Agodi Gate road. was previously used as a hotel in the metropolis, before it was abandoned.
First News correspondent learnt that the long-abandoned structure had become a hideout for criminal elements, posing a threat to residents and businesses around the vicinity.
Reports indicated that the property within the premises had been removed a few days before the demolition, with the inspection of security personnel.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Survey and Urban Development, Mr William Akin-Funmilayo, disclosed that the building had been abandoned by its owner for years, and recalled that the state government had earlier warned owners of abandoned structures in the state to put them to use.
The government claimed that such abandoned structures constituted security threats as they were being used by criminals to perpetrate evil acts.
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According to Akin-Funmilayo, the government had, in a statement issued in February this year, cautioned that it would take over any abandoned structures posing a threat to the public.
The statement said,” The government got information from the public and security agencies that the structure had been posing a security threat to the environment, as criminals and hoodlums usually hid there.
“They go on the streets to snatch telephones, bags, and other valuables from passersby. In addition, it has become a home for illicit drug users, who trade in illicit drugs as well as smoke different kinds of things.
“We are here to confirm what we heard and what we have seen, and this place has been abandoned for the past 10 to 13 years.
“We are here to ensure the safety of the people living in this environment. So, we have seen for ourselves that this is a completely abandoned building.
“The government will work within the ambit of the law to take possession of the building to stop what is constituting a threat.”