Akande Tightens Security Network In Ibadan South West, Meets Police, DSS, Others

…Holds Monthly Security Meeting With Police, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, Amotekun, Vigilante Group In Ibadan South West

The Executive Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, Hon. Kehinde Akande, has reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for insecurity and criminality, declaring that every community within the local government must be safe for residents and businesses.

Hon. Akande made this known on Tuesday at the council secretariat, Oluyole, during his regular monthly security meeting with heads of security architectures operating in the local government.

The high-level security meeting had in attendance the Divisional Police Officers in the local government, heads of the Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, and other community security networks.

Addressing the security chiefs, Hon. Akande said the monthly meeting has become imperative to review security reports from all wards, assess emerging threats and fashion out proactive strategies to keep Ibadan South West ahead of criminal elements.

“Our immediate environment must be free of insecurity and free of crime. That is the foundation for development. Our people must be able to sleep with their two eyes closed, our traders must be able to open their shops without fear, and our children must be able to go to school safely,” the Chairman stated.

He noted that Ibadan South West, being the heart of Ibadan metropolis and host to major markets, motor parks and densely populated communities, requires constant security surveillance and inter-agency collaboration.

Hon. Akande commended the security agencies for their synergy and prompt response to distress calls, especially in tackling cult-related disturbances, drug-related issues, burglary and land-grabbing activities. He assured them of continued logistical support from the local government to enhance their operations.

“We will not relent in supporting you. Whatever we need to do as a council to make your job easier, we will do it. But we also demand results. Our people deserve a crime-free environment,” he charged.

In their separate responses, the heads of security agencies thanked the Chairman for sustaining the monthly meeting, describing it as a model for grassroots security management. They noted that the platform has improved intelligence sharing and joint operations.

The head of DSS in the local government assured of continued intelligence gathering, while the Police reiterated commitment to increased visibility policing and raiding of black spots. The NSCDC, Amotekun and Vigilante Group pledged to strengthen community policing and night patrols, while the NDLEA representative called for more advocacy against drug abuse among youths, which he said is linked to most criminal activities.

They collectively called on traditional rulers, market leaders, community development associations and youth groups to support security operatives with credible information and to avoid shielding criminals.

The meeting ended with far-reaching resolutions, including strengthening joint patrols across all wards, sustaining engagement with stakeholders, improving response time to distress calls and intensifying sensitization against drug abuse and cultism.