Governor Seyi Makinde has urged the military to strengthen their presence in the state by deploying more troops to help battle insecurity in the state.
Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan, said this when he hosted the service chiefs today at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa.
He said, “We have been receiving cooperation from the Nigerian Army based in Ibadan under the General Officer Commanding. So, I must tell you that the state government is appreciative of this because they answer our call anytime we call them.
“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 different canopies, but we know that insecurity is the handiwork of criminals. It does not have religious colouration, no 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 that insecurity is here, but it is not being unattended to and I can tell you that among the Armed Forces, Police, Operation Burst, Amotekun, there is 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.” Adisa quoted Makinde to have said.
He continued, “Also, we want the Nigerian Army to do more. The criminals come in through Oke-Ogun, the boundary between Oyo and Kwara States, extending to Baruten in Kwara and extending to the Benin Republic. So, we need more troops for surveillance, more than what is on the ground.
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“We will appreciate it if the Chief of Air Staff can equally come in to assist us through air surveillance. I am sure it is going to be a continuous process. We have to be proactive and the state government will be ready to render logistic support.”
On his own part, Irabor said the service chiefs’ visit to the state was to familiarise themselves with the troops, officers and men of the Nigeria Army in the state and to let the government know of the military’s effort towards ending the issue of insecurity in the state.
“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 round to see our troops and officers and men in the field to familiarise ourselves with them.
“So, we are here and we have had extensive interactions with our troops and we also thought it is necessary for us to be here and to let you know that we are working assiduously to address all issues that have to do with insecurity; of course, in partnership with other security agencies.
“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 make this visit.
“We have equally recognised 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 South-Western Nigeria,” Irabor said.
Irabor also commiserated with the state government over the lives and property lost in an unfortunate incident that recently happened in the state.
He said, “We know that the military stands ready to give support to the civil authority and ensure that cases of insecurity are addressed holistically. 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 told us to do this.”
