On security in Oyo State

Criminality is always local, that is, no matter how crude or sophisticated criminality appears; a community will be the host. If the Amotekun Operation will be effective in Oyo State, all the spaces in the state must be covered by the State Government. While covering these spaces, the inhabitants of each space must have a record with the state government through the local government councils. Therefore, the importance of the local governments in securing all the spaces in the state can’t be overemphasised.

The local governments are the nearest tier of government to the people and the spaces occupied by criminals. The local chiefs and their people are very familiar with their respective terrains. Furthermore, the Yorubas have some sayings which have shown how careful they are about their environment. For example, you hear things like oju lalakan fi n sori, ifura loogun agba, pansa o fura, pansa ja ‘na, aja o fura, aja jin and a host of others.

The state government needs to make all departments in the local government secretariat work according to the stipulated responsibilities to the communities. Recruitment into the Amotekun Operation should be handled by the Divisional Police Officers in consonance with the Baales and the local security outfit leaders.

Debo Fakayode,

Oyo