We will spare no cost to protect our people, no effort to flush out criminals – Oyo govt

Oyo State Government has assured residents of security of lives and property in every part of the state, saying it would spare no cost to secure the people and spare no effort to make the state uncomfortable for criminally-minded elements.

The government stated this on Wednesday at the Expanded Security Council Meeting presided over by the state governor, Seyi Makinde.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting which had some State Executive Council members, service commanders, local government chairmen and traditional rulers in attendance, the Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd), reassured residents of the state that the government would continue to adequately secure lives and property irrespective of the security challenges in the country.

Owoseni noted that the state would continue to collaborate and partner with non-state actors towards achieving integrated security architecture in the state.

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.

While assuring that Oyo State is not under any threat of banditry, he added that all areas identified as flash points would be thoroughly cleared and rid of criminalities, stressing that the state would not allow criminal elements to have the last laugh.

According to the Special Adviser, the state, in conjunction with the military, is currently combing the Old Oyo National Park, which is a forest that stretches from Oyo State to Kwara and Niger states, to guard against the space being taken over by bandits and terrorists.

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.

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, Barr 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, Barrister 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, Honourable Ademola Ojo; the Olubadan of Ibadan, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rasidi Ladoja; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, other traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and service commanders.