Ondo orders closure of nightclub, hotel over security infringement

The Ondo state government has ordered the immediate closure of a popular nightclub, Bola Komo Club and Imperial hotel in Akure, the state capital, over security infringement.

The closure of the hotel and nightclub was contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, who said the order takes immediate effect and shall remain in force indefinitely, until further notice.

Ojogo said the decision to shut down the two hotels became imperative as the two joints constitute a security risk to the people and residents of the state, saying the government would not allow any hotel to use their facilitates as den of criminals.

The statement read: “The Ondo State Government has ordered that a popular joint, Bola Komo Club, located opposite Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, be closed down forthwith.

“The closure order is with immediate effect; and shall remain in force indefinitely, until further notice.

“It is pertinent to note that this order comes on the heels of a painstaking monitoring and surveillance effort culminating in detailed profiling of the facility as a hot spot by security agencies. Residents are, therefore, advised to note this order as anyone found around the facility does that at his or her own risk,” he said.

Similarly, the Imperial Hotel located at Ilaje Street in the Ijapo area of the state capital was shut following an alleged breach of security rules.

The state government maintained that the two social places were closed down to curtail the activities of criminals in the state capital and its environ

According to Ojogo; “These are, indeed, unusual times in our country, especially in terms of insecurity. In the last couple of months, the security situation in the country has become so alarming that many are reasonably apprehensive”

Meanwhile, Men of the State Security outfit codenamed Amotekun and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), have secured a court order for the closure of Bola Komo night club.

The Court order was obtained following a flagrant violation of the closure order by the state government, while some night crawlers were still seen at the nightclub during odd hours which warranted the security personnel to swiftly disengage them

Speaking on the development, the State commander of Amotekun Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said: “A couple of days ago during our night patrol, we saw some groups of boys in front of an ATM machine around the place withdrawing money at about midnight.

“After carrying out our detailed investigation, we found out they were not the owner of the ATM card they were using. Upon investigation, they claimed they were coming from Bola Komo Night club. They also hinted to us that such operations were being carried out in other ATM points at that hour.

“We went to the ATM around Adegbola and we met another group of boys carrying out the same act. On sighting us, they took to their heels and escaped into Bola Komo Night Club.

“This was at about 1:38 am. On getting to the clubhouse, we found out that there was full clubbing taking place right there and we recorded the video.

“We asked for the manager who came out and said we have no right to arrest anyone at that time in the club. In a short while, we saw about 18 security men that came out and also prevented us from entering the club.

“At about 2:30 am, the manager sent about 500 men, including the security men chanting at our men. At that time, we refused to engage them but contacted the police and they also tried but their efforts also proved abortive.

“Based on that, we invited the Manager and that was after visiting the venue about six times. We advised them to close the club at the time stipulated by the state government. We went there in the early hours with men of the Nigerian Police Force to carry out the court order,” he explained.

(Nigerian Tribune)