BY AYO ESAN
GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, rolled out measures to address issues of criminal trespass and damage by Hausa/Fulani pastoralists, kidnapping and banditry and other crimes in Ibarapaland and Oke-Ogun axis of the state.
The Governor said his government would proceed with the documentation of foreigners in the state, especially those working in the mines, noting that only those with legitimate interests in Oyo State would be allowed to remain within the territory.
This, he said, was one of the strategies aimed at combating crime.
“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,” he declared.
Makinde, who made this known in a statement he personally signed, said that the new security measures would ensure peaceful coexistence among residents in parts of the state.
He noted 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, obtained by THE POINT, further indicated that the measures were being rolled out after a meeting held 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.
“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 statement read.
The governor also said that his administration would adopt continuous dialogue as one of the measures aimed at ending insecurity in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axes.
“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,” he said.
Besides, the governor also listed the enforcement of existing laws as one of the measures to end criminality in the state.
He stated, “The government will continue to enforce the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019.
“This law also regulates the activities of herdsmen in Oyo State. The authorities have directed the Amotekun Corps to continue collaborating with ‘Operation Burst’ and local vigilante groups in enforcing this law.
“You will recall that in the security meeting of South West governors and other stakeholders two days ago, it was agreed that open grazing be banned in the entire South West zone.”
Another measure contained in the security strategy as made public by the governor is the decision to further collaborate with federal security agencies operating in the state.
He said that the Oyo State Government “will continue to support the police and other federal security agencies posted to the state in the discharge of their duties.”
