Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called for more cooperation and collaboration among security agencies, governments and the traditional institution in the state.
Governor MAkinde said such cooperation has helped to improve the security situation of the state.
The governor, who disclosed this at a security interactive meeting with traditional rulers, service commanders and local government chairmen and vice chairmen, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, said the output of the co-operation in the state has made it attractive to investors and others, security-wise.
Provide Support
Makinde stated that his administration would continue to provide necessary support and encouragement to the security agencies so that they could keep the state safe during the Yuletide and beyond.
He said: “We still have threats and challenges but there is room for improvement. I am also interacting with the people, including the traditional institution. We still have quite a bit to do and what we have identified as a major issue is what has been mentioned about the land grabbers. From our analysis, the land grabbers are working mostly with some traditional rulers.”
The governor read the riot act to land grabbers, illegal miners and some chiefs said to be aiding their operations, noting that it is unlawful for any individual or group to forcefully take over landed property or engage in illegal mining operations and that his government would nip the menace in the bud by dealing decisively with anyone found guilty of abetting crime.
“While we try to protect the interest of everybody, I want to seriously warn that we are not going to allow the situation in other places to occur here in Oyo State. This is because we have the chance and opportunity to deal decisively with those troublemakers before it becomes a trend here. We have to address some of these issues and nip them in the bud right now and I want to solicit the support of our traditional institution on this,” Governor Makinde noted.
Improvements in Security
governor affirmed that a lot of improvements have been witnessed in the security sector, especially at the local government level, where, according to him, security committees had been set up and a sum of N330 million is being released monthly and its utilisation well-monitored.
He, however, charged the local government chairmen to continue to cooperate with the state government, the traditional institutions and House of Assembly members in their domains so that they could get the best out of the system.
“If you are doing well in your localities, we will do well state-wise. Oyo State is adjudged stable but we cannot afford to rest. The people have given us their trust and vote and we must deliver to them. If there are things we are not paying attention to, let us make amendments. I will call an immediate meeting to evaluate some of the pieces of advice the traditional rulers have given to us. And where we are falling short, we will do everything to ensure that we cover the lapses,” Makinde stated.
Earlier, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, commended the Governor Makinde-led administration for handling the security of the state quite well, disclosing that traditional rulers have been forming synergy with the police and other security agencies, have been able to nab some of the wrongdoings and are now getting to sleep with two eyes closed.
The Alaafin stated: “We need to also commend you for your zero tolerance to anybody thinking that the state will be on fire. Another thing we appreciate is the fact that you are moving and not docile and giving orders. So far, the incidence of robbery, banditry and the rest have been stamped out of Oyo State. The local government chairmen are collaborating very well with local authorities, and we have to appreciate them through you.”
Representatives of the Army, Air Force, Police, State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Amotekun also spoke at the meeting.
Confidence Okwuchi
