In its bid to put an end to incessant kidnappings along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Oyo State Government has resolved to involve traditional leaders and local vigilantes.

The vigilantes and other non-state actors will work with regular security agencies in order to arrest perpetrators of heinous crimes along the expressway.

Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd) made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of a stakeholders’ security meeting held at the Oyo State Security Trust Fund Office, Onireke, Ibadan.

Owoseni, who explained that the collaborations of the Oyo and Ogun state governments are already yielding positive results, noted that the governments of the two states have strengthened the security architecture on the Ibadan-Lagos expressway.

He said “Sadly, we have had three incidents in one week cutting across, that made it look as if the security agents are sleeping on their obligations but I must correct that impression. Before then, it was not as if measures and strategies were not put in place to curb any incident.

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“The perception and the interpretation that has been given is that your community is insecure but it is not possible to have a totally crime-free society.

“Concerning the incidents we recorded about two weeks ago, a whole lot has been put in place by the government to ensure that we give safety to commuters, not just on the express road but the road that leads to Lagos and Abeokuta and some other parts of Oyo State.

“And that also was the reason why the governors of Ogun and Oyo States met to form the Joint Security Committee. So, in essence, with what has happened, the interpretation of security will be that there must have been a gap.

“For now, we have strengthened visibility and also found out certain things. We have taken a lesson from that to say that whatever is put in place now will be something that is workable, practical, and sustainable and that is where we are now.”

Owoseni added that the governments of both states are working together to secure the axis.

“We have reinvigorated our visibility on the road, denying the criminal elements the space to operate freely. We are going after the ones that have operated and bring them to justice.

“All the security agencies and commanders are working together and we have also used this to strengthen the synergy that all the agencies have. Anyone plying the road now will see static and mobile deployments.

“All the agencies are there; you have the Air Force, Army, Amotekun, Police, Civil Defence, and elements of the covert operation on the ground as well and they have the resources they can use in terms of logistics.