Muslim community counsels DSS on improved security in Oyo

The Department of State Services (DSS) in Oyo State has been urged by the Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) to strengthen its collaboration with social, ethnic, professional, and religious organizations within the state for enhanced intelligence gathering.

MUSCOYS believes that such cooperation would help address security threats effectively across the state’s various communities.

The call was made during a courtesy visit by a MUSCOYS delegation to the director of the Oyo State DSS command and his management team at the agency’s headquarters in Alalubosa, Ibadan, on Thursday.

The chairman of MUSCOYS, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, who was represented by MUSCOYS Vice Chairman for Oke-Ogun Zone 1, Mr. Tajudeen Adeniji, urged the DSS to intensify its efforts to ensure that intelligence provided by the agency leads to timely and appropriate actions by the government at various levels.

Alhaji Sanni also emphasized the need for continued collaboration between the DSS and other security agencies to ensure adequate security across all sectors of society.

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“We appreciate your proactive efforts in providing necessary intelligence to avert potential security risks, which ultimately lead to a peaceful and better society,” he told the DSS director.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General of MUSCOYS, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, suggested the creation of a stakeholders’ forum that would include members of various religious and ethnic groups to facilitate seamless intelligence gathering.

Dr. Musa Alongbija, representing the Ibadan Muslim Community, urged the DSS to focus its attention on the proliferation of criminal hideouts, commonly known as ‘joints,’ where criminals gather to engage in drug trafficking, abuse, and plan criminal activities.

Alhaji Lateef Bello, the MUSCOYS zonal chairman from Ogbomoso, commended the DSS for its professionalism and impartiality in resolving the Imamship issue in Ogbomoso.

The chairman of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji Abdurahman AbdulGaniy, and the chairman of the Political Awareness Group (PAG), Dr. Lukman Fasasi, also called on the DSS to curb sensationalism by broadcast stations and address the rise in juvenile delinquency, with schools now being used as recruitment grounds for cultism.

Dr. Lateefat Dairo, the Amirah of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) Oyo State chapter, stressed the importance of preventing security breaches at the grassroots level.

Dr. Daud Amoo-Alaga, a renowned comparative religion preacher, highlighted that the establishment of a comprehensive stakeholders’ forum would be crucial in tackling fanaticism and extremism in the state.

In response, the Oyo State DSS director expressed appreciation for the visit, acknowledging that religious bodies play a key role in intelligence gathering and internal security operations.

He assured the MUSCOYS delegation that efforts would be made to constitute the stakeholders’ forum, which would meet regularly on a quarterly or monthly basis, as needed, to support the agency’s efforts in fulfilling its mandate.

“It gladdens our hearts to receive you. Your message is well received. We have been engaging with stakeholders and advocating for national peace,” said the DSS director.

The DSS director also acknowledged the rising concern over cultism, with people of all ages and genders involved, and assured that the agency would redouble its efforts to tackle the problem.

The 16-man MUSCOYS delegation included representatives from the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society (ADS), Nasrul-Lahi-li-Fathi Society (NASFAT), FOMWAN, National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO), Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), and other Muslim organizations from across Oyo State.