Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has pledged to create an uncomfortable environment for those with criminal intentions.
Makinde pledged on Wednesday in Ibadan immediately following the state’s enlarged security council meeting.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) states that the assembly included members of the state executive council, service commanders, local government leaders, and traditional rulers.
The governor, via his Special Adviser on Security, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, guaranteed residents that their lives and property are secure throughout the state.
He emphasized that his administration would invest any amount necessary to protect the people and would make every effort to ensure the state is resilient against criminals.
He observed that the state would keep working together and partnering with non-state entities to attain a comprehensive security framework.
Makinde states that even with the crime challenges in the nation, the state government has been responding by positioning patrol teams in key locations.
The governor stated that the state faced no threat from banditry and ensured that all areas recognized as flashpoints would be completely cleared of crime.
“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.
“With regard 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.
“Similarly, the local governments are championing what we call the voluntary policing sector.
“We started this like almost three years ago, where local government chairmen use the neighborhood watch initiatives, putting them under what we call the voluntary policing sector,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, the Osi Olubadan, applauded the government for the initiative.
He assured that the traditional institution would keep backing the government in order to deter crimes in communities.
NAN states that the meeting was attended by Deputy Gov. Bayo Lawal and the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo.
Others are the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, along with the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye.
