Insecurity: Makinde Appeals for More Troops, Air Surveillance at Oyo Border Communities

The Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde has called on the Nigerian Armed Forces to deploy more of its men to the border communities in Oke-Ogun zone of the state which links adjoining state of Kwara and the neighboring Country of Benin Republic so as to arrest the incessant security challenges faced in these areas.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan made this statement earlier today while speaking to the newly appointed Services 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 stated that criminal elements make use of the porous Oke-Ogun border which is the boundary between Oyo state, Kwara state, extending to Barutu in Kwara State and extending to Benin-Republic.

To tackle the activities of the criminal elements, Makinde urged the military authorities deploy more troops to the axis and assist the state through air surveillance.

Emphasizing on the need for proactive action in stemming 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 coloration, nor ethnic coloration. 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 ground.”
“We will appreciate if the Chief of 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.”

Meanwhile, in his comments, the Chief of Army Staff, General Lucky Irabor said the military authorities recognized the centrality of the state government in ensuring security of residents of 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 it is necessary for us to 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 inhabitants of the geographical space in the 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.”