Makinde Adopts Strategies To Rid Ibarapa, Oke Ogun Of Criminality

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, rolled out measures his government is taking to address issues of criminal trespass and damage by Fulani pastoralists, kidnapping and banditry and other crimes in Ibarapaland and Oke-Ogun axis of the state.

The governor, in a statement he personally signed said that the measures will ensure peaceful coexistence among residents in parts of the state.

Makinde stated that some of the steps would include the decision to deploy security apparatus, exploring dialogue, collaborating with federal agencies and enforcing existing laws to maintain order and peaceful coexistence.

The statement further indicated that the measures were being rolled out after a meeting with representatives of Igangan, Ibarapaland, which was attended by security stakeholders including the recently appointed Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko.

According to him, the authorities came up with a security strategy for the Ibarapa zone to include deployment of additional 200 operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, to man hotspots of kidnapping/banditry, especially in the Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun zones.

Makinde said; “These operatives will launch missions to rid the forests of criminals. They will be presenting daily reports of the activities to the governor in the short run and periodic reports in the long run”.

The governor also said that his administration will equally adopt continuous dialogue as one of the measures aimed at ending insecurity in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axes.

According to Makinde; “In the next few weeks, the government will hold town hall meetings and community outreaches, bringing together residents and security agencies to talk about issues of immediate concern and how they can be resolved through dialogue and more effective community policing.”

Makinde also said that his government will ensure the documentation of foreigners as one of the strategies aimed at combating crime, adding that; “as stated in an earlier press conference, the government will be proceeding with the documentation of foreigners, especially those who are working in mines. This will ensure that only foreigners who have legitimate interests in Oyo State will remain within our territory”.

Besides, the governor also listed the enforcement of existing laws as one of the measures to end criminality in the state among other measures.