Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced a compensation of ₦5 million each for the families of forest guards recently killed at the Old Oyo National Park.
He disclosed this during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the incident at Oloka village in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Makinde, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, on Friday, also approved scholarships up to the university level for the children of the deceased guards.
The governor further promised to rehabilitate the road linking Oloka community to Ikoyi-Ile under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project to ease movement.
He also pledged to improve telecommunication services in the area and provide boreholes as well as solar-powered streetlights for the community.
He added that the state would sustain a joint security operation to ensure the safety of residents.
Makinde, who commiserated with members of the community and the affected families, assured residents that his administration would redouble efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture and improve living conditions in the area.
The governor also revealed plans to write to military authorities in Abuja, requesting the establishment of a military base in Oloka to further enhance security.
He, however, noted that security is a collective responsibility and not the sole duty of government, urging residents to always provide timely information to security agencies whenever they observe suspicious activities in their communities.
Makinde commended service commanders for their support, dedication and commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
“I thank every one of you in Oloka and pray that we will not experience such an event again. I want to assure you that whatever is expected of the government to ensure your safety and security, we will do it. It is quite unfortunate, and I pray that God will uphold the families left behind by those who were killed.
“The reason I decided to come here personally is to see the environment and the challenges our security agencies may be facing. One of such challenges is communication. I want to assure you that we will pay for telecommunication companies to come and install masts here.
“For the bandits and those causing problems here, we will ensure that you feel the presence of our fortified security from now on.
“For the families who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident, each will receive ₦5 million. They should send their representatives to us on Monday. For those among the deceased who left children behind, I will approve scholarships for their children up to the university level.
“We are working very hard with our service commanders to ensure that every necessary measure is put in place regarding clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park. We will redouble our efforts.”
The governor later led residents in observing a minute of silence in honour of the deceased.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni (retd.), disclosed that three key suspects involved in the killing of the five national forest guards had been arrested and were undergoing further investigation.
“Your Excellency has been adequately briefed on the nature of the incident, but as you have always done, you chose to come and see for yourself exactly what happened.
“As we speak, three key suspects directly involved in the incident have been arrested, and our security commanders are currently interrogating them. The commanders will live up to Your Excellency’s assurance that bandits will not be given space to operate in this state.”
Members of the governor’s entourage included the Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Mojeed Mogbonjubola; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Bayo Lawal; Director-General of the Oyo State Mineral Development Agency, Abiodun Oni; service commanders and other top government officials.
Also in attendance were the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; the Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran; other traditional rulers, religious leaders and community leaders.
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