TOTOWU RIVER FINALLY OPENED FOR OPERATION

                                 

The attack saga of the so called Ijaw youth, seems to have to reduced or finally stopped after they exchanged bullets with the police and mobile police on Obadore, Iyan-Iba road, Lagos State. Totowu river finally opened after series of meetings and certain security procedure taking.

During the attack in Lagos, three policemen sustained bullet injuries. Later that day, the main hideout of the so called Ija-youth was located and burnt to the ground. Report got to us that policemen have been assigned to the shore of this rivers linking Ogun/Lagos to monitor, report and suspected any strange activities. But this police were only seen on Lagos shore.

The Totowu river opened for operation yesterday but few people have been seen on the boat passing that route to Lagos.  People who live in that community and neighboring community follow the Itekun river, another easy route to Lagos, but quite far and expensive. The Itekun river will take you to Iyana- School and from there you can take a commercial bus for just N50 to Iyana-Iba. Following Agbara is compltely far to Lagos because you will have to go through Igbesa and Lusada before you get to Agbara. Another easy route to Lagos is another river in Odan, this will take you to Iyana-Ipaja. But Totowu river will take you to Isuti-Egan, in Igando, Lagos and Imose river will take you to Adexon in Lagos as well.

Due to the long distance, the economic situation of the area has been reshaped drastically, the cost of feeding as increase. Four small-milk-tin now goes for N 260, some places N250 or more, something that goes for N210, N220 before the crisis. And many more...

Initially, the boat goes been paddle instead of using the motor-engine to move it across the river. But report got to us that, as at later in the evening yesterday the boat now move using the motor-engine. But the price of crossing the river has been doubled from N100 to N 200. Few people have been seen on board. Many are still afraid to cross the river in fear that the so called Ijaw-youth might still be hiding somewhere on the river. Some have said, in an interview, that they will not follow the Totowu river not after a year.

Due to the crisis as well, some people left the area for a while and later came back but some people sold their houses for fear of insecurity. The neighboring community river, Imose is yet to reopen after almost two weeks when 9 boats were robbed.

What will happen next?