A REVIEW OF THE STATE OF SECURITY IN OYO STATE

The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde is working tirelessly to reposition the State in changing the narrative of Oyo State one sector at a time, going by the saying that says “The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.” A secured society is essential in perfecting any plans for growth or development. Seyi Makinde has remained steadfast in securing the lives and properties of Oyo Indigenes.

The fact that you cannot totally eliminate crime from any society has been proven true in case study news from advanced countries with heavy ammunitions and security gadgets still facing security challenges, In Oyo State issues arising around security is being properly managed, ensuring that criminals are made to face the law and served the punishment deserving when they perpetrate criminal acts serving as a lesson to anyone considering engaging in the same act.

Governor Seyi Makinde’s achievements in security in the past year includes a focus on providing support infrastructure for security operatives in the state. The Oyo State Government provided operational vehicles, walkie talkies, steel helmets, bulletproof jackets, combat boots and other security equipment.

During the year, the Western Nigeria Security Network code-named Amotekun was operationalised. The 1,500 member corps drafted to all 33 local government areas of Oyo State, received over 500 operational vehicles. Also in the last year, the Oyo State Government upgraded the Security Control Room and City Watch facilities at the Oyo State Security Trust Fund Headquarters, Onireke, Jericho, Ibadan. More recently, Oyo State took steps to secure entry and exit points by installing the Oyo State Security Joint Force Base at Mamu Village on the Oyo/Ogun States border.

Review of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Achievements in Security (2 years in Office)

Enhance community participation in crime prevention under the neighbourhood watch programme. The creation of Amotekun Corps is encouraging community participation in precautionary methods to fighting crime. The corps members collaborate with the community on intelligence gathering and this bridges the gap in the security architecture in the state. In March 2021, Governor Seyi Makinde set up a Security Task Force which meets weekly. One of the recommendations was voluntary policing to include non-state actors to assist with intelligence gathering and the response from members of the public has been positive. Another recommendation was the inclusion of traditional rulers in the state security matters, this is also geared towards intelligence gathering.

Ensure adequate mechanisms exist for ensuring safety of citizens and property. In the past one year, the Oyo State Government has again, invested in ensuring the safety of citizens and property through the operationalisation of State Security Control Room:

CCTV cameras were provided in strategic locations in the state which are linked to the Security Control Room.
Communication equipment were provided to security agencies for easy communication from one location to the other; 615 toll-free number operationalised during the first year in office is connected to the State Security Control Room for immediate response to any security threat. This free toll has a wider coverage from the State Security Control Room. Messages are relayed to the Police Control Room for quick response to distress calls.
Deployment of Army officers to the Oyo State Forest Reserves as Forward Operation Base to prevent encroachment into the state by bandits and hoodlums.

Advocacy across the state to seek reduction of the crime incidence rate.The government carried out advocacy across the state to seek reduction of crime in the past one year in the following ways:

Security meetings were held with traditional rulers across the state to carry the traditional rulers along on security of their domains; Regular security meetings with security commanders of all security agencies (Army, Airforce, Police, NSCDC, Immigration, Correctional Service, Customs, FRSC and DSS) are being held.
Security meeting was also held with Nigeria Labour Congress, Caretaker Chairpersons of local government and local council development areas.
Security meetings with state actors and non-state actors to enhance synergy among them were also held.

Establish an emergency response system.The Oyo State Government operationalised the Citizens’ Emergency toll-free line (615) during the first year in office.

Setting up of security control room.The Oyo State Government expanded and upgraded the Security Control Room and City Watch facilities at the Oyo State Security Trust Fund Headquarters, Onireke, Jericho, Ibadan.

Purchase of modern equipment and logistics for security agencies to fight crime.The Governor Seyi Makinde led administration purchased the following in the past year:

Brand new operational vehicles for the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, ‘Operation Burst’ and Amotekun.

A security post was established at the border between Oyo and Ogun States along Ijebu-Ibadan comprising:

Beds for security personnel at the security post
CCTV cameras
Water tank
Detachable Toilet
Solar Energy
VSAT
Safe School initiative security cameras in secondary schools.
Communication equipment on operational vehicles and personnel.
Provision of security personnel at exit and entry points in the state.

Welfare support to the security agencies in the following ways:

Financial support (welfare/running cost)
Provision of PMS to operational vehicles
Monthly servicing of Patrol Vehicles
Allowance for officers on patrol/pin down duties
Increment of ration allowance and extension of the same to all security agencies

Willingness and ability of government to listen to, hear and respond to the people and address their expressed interest. The Oyo State Government has established a robust feedback system that logs and escalates issues that affect residents.

Ensuring of public vigilance at all levels.

Effective capacity building for security agencies (training and re-training). The Oyo State Government has carried out effective capacity building for security agencies in Oyo State by:

Regular Security Council Meeting with Security Agencies in the State.
Provision of allowances to run security affairs in the state.
Supplies of Intelligence Report.
Allocation of operational vehicles to security agencies.
Installation of CCTV cameras in strategic locations in the state.
Media enlightenment on crime and criminality.
Provision of intervention for the End SARS victims on the Police as well as provision of fund for the Special Operations of the Police, Army, DSS, NSCDC and Airforce.

Provision of operational vehicles to security agencies. The Oyo State Government has provided the following vehicles to security agencies in the past one year:

Hilux Pick-Up Vans
Kia Rio cars
JAC Pick-Up Vans
Mikano Pick up Vans
Dial Auto Pick-Up Vans

Enhanced funding support to the security agencies. The Oyo State Government provided funding support to the security agencies in the past one year by releasing monthly running cost/welfare allowances spread across the security personnel in the state.

Provision of toll-free line to the citizens to reach security agencies in period of emergencies. The Citizens’ Emergency toll-free line (615) was operationalised during the first year in office and is still functional.

Effective provision of crime information. The Oyo State Government ensured effective provision of crime information by continuously sensitising citizens about security issues in the state. The government also communicates data about crime rates to the citizens.

The Oyo State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Engr Seyi Makinde is working tirelessly to rid Oyo State of the plague of insecurity that is being promoted to tarnish the safety that Oyo State is known for nationally. As Residents of this great peaceful state lets support and work with the Government to make this a resounding success.