The Oyo State Government has announced that a combined security team, including the military, is currently combing the Old Oyo National Park, a vast forest stretching into Kwara and Niger states, as part of renewed efforts to flush out criminal elements.
The government said the operation is aimed at preventing bandits and terrorists from infiltrating or occupying the area.
It added that while the state is not under any banditry threat, all identified flashpoints will be cleared to ensure criminal groups do not gain ground.
Addressing journalists after Wednesday’s Expanded Security Council Meeting presided over by Governor Seyi Makinde, the Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
He noted that Oyo State will continue to strengthen collaborations with non-state actors to enhance its integrated security architecture, assuring residents that no effort or resource will be spared to keep the state safe and unconducive for criminal activities.
He added that despite the challenges of crime and criminalities in the country, Oyo state government has been rising to the occasion in tackling the challenges by ensuring that patrol teams are located in strategic places.
He also stated that the government has put in place a number of measures to make the state too hot for criminals, which include joint visibility patrols, adding that the state has also activated swift deployment squads.
Expatiating on the collaboration between the state government and non-state actors to secure the state, Owoseni said, “With regards to non-state actors, we have been doing this for a while. It is really a form of partnership between the government and some sectors to secure the state. It is integrating non-state actors into the state’s security architecture.
“That is basically what Oyo State has adopted. We have an integrated security architecture, where the non-state actors are properly integrated into our architecture.
“I will cite the example of Ibadan, where we have the Mogajis Initiative, which His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland chairs and coordinates. Each of the Mogajis coordinates these non-state actors in his domain, and that is also being done in other parts of the state.
“Similarly, the local governments are championing what we call the voluntary policing sector. We started this like almost three years ago, where the local government chairman uses the neighborhood watch initiatives and put them under what we call the voluntary policing sector.
“By the way also, the fringes of Oyo State are shared boundaries. We have been engaging our neighbouring states for a while with a view to securing our borders. There is an initiative on security between Oyo and Ogun states, but Lagos and Osun states have joined that initiative. We held a meeting about two weeks ago to put up strategies on how to secure our shared boundaries. Of course, we are looking forward to a situation whereby we will bring a state like Kwara into the fold as well.”
Speaking on mining activities in the state, Owoseni disclosed that all miners licensed by the Federal Government must align with the rules and regulations of Oyo State and also involve the local communities and the traditional rulers of the environments where they want to operate before they can be allowed to operate.
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He stressed that any company that fails to respect the state’s guidelines with respect to protecting the people and the environment from mining hazards would not be allowed to operate in the state.
Owoseni expressed the appreciation of Governor Seyi Makinde to all the service commanders and their agencies for the synergy, dedication and support to the state government on security, urging all residents of the state to see security as a responsibility for everyone.
He charged residents to always call the 615 Emergency Number to report suspicious acts or report emergencies.
In their separate remarks, the Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Biodun Aikomo and the Chairman of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda, assured that the state government would continue to protect and respect the rights of the citizens within the ambits of the law.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, the Osi Olubadan, lauded the government for the initiative and promised that the traditional institution would continue to support the government to prevent crimes in communities.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; the Secretary to Oyo State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, other traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and service commanders.
