The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has asked the Nigerian Armed Forces to deploy more of its men to the border communities in Oke-Ogun which links the state of Kwara and the Country of Benin Republic as a move to curb the endless security challenges plaguing these areas.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan made this statement earlier today in his statement to the newly appointed Service chiefs led by the Chief of Defense of staff, General Lucky Irabor at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan.
The Governor noted that criminals utilize the permeable Oke-Ogun border which is the boundary between Oyo state, Kwara state, extending to Barutu in Kwara State and extending to Benin-Republic.
To be able to curb these criminal activities, Makinde advised the military authorities to deploy more troops to the vicinity while aiding them with air surveillance.
Emphasizing the necessity of employing foresight in truncating insecurity, the governor promised that the state government would provide logistics support as a form of encouragement to the Army.
In his words, Makinde said: “I also want to state that the insecurity in Oyo State is not peculiar to this state alone but Nigeria as a whole. Many people are hiding under a different canopy. We know insecurity is the handiwork of criminals. It does not have religious colouration, nor ethnic colouration. A criminal is a criminal but whatever will suit the purpose of the narrator is what we hear in town”
“The main thing is insecurity is here but not being unattended to and I can tell you that between the Armed Forces, Police, Operation Burst, Amotekun, there is a synergy. Though you may be hearing different stories outside, there is synergy and continuous engagement. Every one of us has one target and the central target is the maintenance of peace and security of lives and property across the state.”
“We don’t discriminate here. This is a pacesetter state in Nigeria and our people are very accommodating. So, I can assure you that any Nigerian national here is in a safe place.”
“Also, we want the Nigerian Army to do more. The criminals come in through Oke-Ogun, the boundary between Oyo state, Kwara state, extending to Barutu in Kwara State and extending to Benin-Republic. So, we need more troops for surveillance, more than what is on the ground.”
“We will appreciate it if the Chief of the Air Staff can equally come in to assist us through air surveillance. It is a continuous process. We have to be proactive in the state, and the state government will be ready to render logistic support.”
Reacting to the Governor’s statement, the Chief of Army Staff, General Lucky Irabor said the military authorities understood the centrality of the state government in ensuring safe residence in the State.
Irabor lauded the efforts of the state government geared towards ensuring peace and security.
He said: “I will like to thank you for the honour of receiving us even at very short notice. The leadership hierarchy of the Armed Forces changed very recently and it became expedient for us after assuming command to go around to see our troops and officers and men in the field to familiarize ourselves with them.
“Beyond that, we equally bring the expectations and the charge of Mr President and Commander-in-Chief to them. Having been charged to take all measures necessary to address the varying security challenges across the country in partnership with other security agencies, we found it very expedient for us to take this visit.
“We have equally recognized the centrality of the state government in this regard. So, we felt we must pay this courtesy call for you to know that the entourage is here in the state for good, for the greater good of Oyo State indigenes and citizens as well as every Nigerian and inhabitant of the geographical space in South Western Nigeria”.
He added: ”And we also know that the Police remains the first tier of internal security provision. Of course, where the Police require the intervention of the military, we stand very well to provide that, and we have been doing that. More so, Mr President has tied us to do this.”
