Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated that his administration is committed to securing lives and properties of citizenry in the state, stating that security is sine-qua-non to development.
The Governor, who disclosed this on Wednesday while receiving the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the South West region, DIG Abiodun Sylvester Alabi at the Governor’s office, added that he will continue to prioritise security by giving law enforcement the facilities and support they need to combat crime.
Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, the Deputy Governor of Oyo state, who received the DIG on behalf of Governor Makinde, appreciated Alabi for the visit and described him as a man of few words but full of actions, stating that his presence in the state will further strengthen the state’s security architecture.
According to him, this friendship will resonate in our minds even when we depart. So, I need to congratulate you once more because this is the first time you are asked to oversee southwestern region of Nigeria which is coming at an apposite time when your experience and expertise is needed in combating crimes and criminalities.
Barr. Lawal, who noted that Southwest region was relatively peaceful before the advent of kidnapping, banditry and small arms having their ways into the hands of criminals, however emphasized that the issue of security can not be taken for granted in the Southwest region.
He added that Ekiti state where the DIG also hales from, which used to be very peaceful by all definitions, is also facing security challenges, likewise Ogun state and the cosmopolitan state like Lagos state.
In his words, “We are sitting on a solid mineral resources here in Oyo state, like lithium among others, which has been making illegal miners infiltrate the state especially forest reserves which has been a haven for criminals.
“Just early today, i received a detail that such illegal miners had made their way into the forest reserves. And about two weeks ago, we conducted clearance operation against illegal mining activities along the Oke-Ogun routes. But nevertheless, the forest reserves in that belt has turned to a haven for illegal miners and criminals.
“We want you to deploy your expertise to reach that zones against banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminalities. So, Southwest region is not as peaceful as you know because there are challenges. We must as government either federal, state or local government tackle insecurity.”
While urging the police to supply more man powers to combat crimes, Barr. Lawal said the issue of kidnapping, banditry is arising from illegal mining activities which is directly affecting development.
He encouraged the DIG to make his courtesy visit a frequent one to the state, adding that his time to time visit will send right signal even to those that may want to relax and will continue to put his men on right mode of duty.
“On this note, on behalf of His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo state, we welcome you to Oyo state. We want to also pledge that whatever is required of the state government to do in furtherance to what we are doing to support the police, we will continue to do it.
Earlier in his remarks, DIG Alabi said his mission to Oyo state is a compliance to the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who directed all DIG to visit their Geopolitical zones.
He noted that he was in Lagos and Ogun state before coming to Oyo state which is the strategic state in Southwest political zone, to interface and interact with all officers of Nigeria police force across stations in combating crimes and any area that is needed to rejig the security architecture.
DIG Alabi thanked the Oyo Governor for the logistics and welfare support his administration has been giving to police to combat crime to the barest minimum, stating that he gets security reports on daily basis based on the strategic location of the state.
He added that the commissioner of police and his men are working tremendously to ensure that people live peacefully in the state while also commending the Oyo state government for its cooperation and synergy with the police to combat crimes.
In attendance were Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on security matters, Rtd Compo Sunday Odukoya, SA on Legal Matters, Alhaji Hassan Ajibade, SA on Administration, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, as well as other government functionaries.
