In a bid to address insecurities such as nefarious activities and the influx of bandits in Osun State, the state government held a security workshop on Thursday aimed at preventing criminal infiltration and strengthening security in border towns and communities.
The program took place at the party secretariat in Abere and included military and paramilitary organizations led by service commanders who acted as state resource persons. Representatives from Kabiyesis across all twelve border towns—such as Ila-Odo, Owena, Imesi-Ile, Ifetedo, Araromi-Owu, Esa-Oke, Ikoyi-Asejire, Ife-Odan, Ifon-Osun, Iwo, Ikeji Ile, and Oke-Ila—also participated.
During the event, Barrister Samuel O., the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on security matters, emphasized that the workshop was essential for protecting the state from any potential aggressors or threats, depending on their capacity to ensure adequate border security.
According to him, “Border security is very essential for the protection against any potential threat to state security in particular and national security in general.”
“It is noteworthy that intelligent reports from all the security agencies are pointing to the likely upsurge in the mayhem of kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal mining and other criminal activities in Osun State as a result of influx of some bandits and unscrupulous elements from crises ravaging northern states of Nigeria. As soon as these hoodlums started feeling the heat of security operatives in the North, their attentions began to shift to other states where they could continue their nefarious activities, especially in Ijeshaland where mining activities is thriving and some urban towns in Osun State.”
“It is therefore imperative to beef up security across the nooks and crannies of the state through provision of covert operation to prevent the mayhem and thorough sensitization on the need to ensure adequate and effective security at our various border areas so as not to allow bandits to invade Osun State. All hands must be on deck to ensure adequate security of our dear State to maintain its position as one of the most peaceful States in Nigeria.”
“It is a settled principle of Government that the fundamental reason for the setting up of a government in a modern state is the need for societal security for the sole purpose of ensuring an appreciable measure of good life for the majority of its inhabitants.”
“In other words, all other purposes of Government are secondary to this fundamental essence of governance. To underscore its importance, one is not surprised that the foregoing fact about the essence of government is expressly captured in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended. Section 14(2) (b) of chapter two which deals with the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, imposed a compelling obligation on government at all levels with the provisions that; “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of Government”.
“One is pleased to note that everything considered, the fact of this sacred constitutional provision is not lost in Osun as a state. This is in consideration of the determination, passion and zeal with which the present administration in Osun State led by Senator (Dr) Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, Asiwaju of Ede land has been pursuing and implementing series of security related policies and programs.”
“My boss is a symbol of hope, a distinguished patriot, and a selfless leader, whose steadfast commitment to security is uncommon. He is a model of discipline, integrity and professionalism. A pillar of wisdom, an exemplary leader, and a role model. His steadfast dedication to peace, security and a good governance is immeasurable, significantly shaping political development in Osun State”.
“His immense contribution to security and advancement of Osun State will not be forgotten. His wealth of experience, both in public and political landscape, will continue to shape the progress of our dear State.”
“I am more than convinced that the security advice and tips all of us will receive here today would prove very rewarding and beneficial at the end of this program. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the die is cast. There must be no cause for failure. Let us do everything possible to ensure that hoodlums, unwanted visitors and deviants are chased out of our State.”
“It is highly commendable that participants in this workshop have been assembled from the erudite and well experienced security agencies, representatives of Kabiyesis and other eminent personalities from the border towns in Osun State”, he stressed.
In his own contributions,Group Captain Abdulkadir Hello, Commandant, Nigerian Air Force, Institute Of Safety, recommended that, the state state governor, Ademola Adeleke should Sectorise the state for effective operations and monitoring, Increase the presence of security personnel in vulnerable areas.
“Provide necessary logistics support for security agencies. Provide patrol vehicles for effective patrols across the state.Implement economic empowerment programs for the youths.”
“Provide workable policies for effective border manning and patrols.Establish a mechanism on conflict resolution to resolve impending farmers/herders clashes and chieftancy/kingship rivaries”.
The reason for these according to him were that, “most recent intelligence gathered indicate records of rising insecurity reports in various parts of the state. ”
“Hence, the urgent need for the State Government to a decisive action towards emplacing stringent measures to nib the current situation at the bud before it escalates to a state of emergency.”
“Consequently, the major security challenges bothering the State include but are not limited to porous borders, cult activities, youth restiveness, armed robbery, kidnapping, farmers & herders’ clashes, land disputes, kingship tussle, illegal mining & manufacturing of explosives as well as infiltration of ISWAP amongst others. Accordingly, the most predominant security challenges will be discussed subsequently;”
“The borders in the state are mostly located at border towns around remote areas with porous boundaries that have limited or no security check point or deployment. Also, some identified unmonitored entry points are shared forests that have no boundaries or barricades which fosters easy flow of persons and illegal crossing points.”
“This presupposes the influx of miscreants into the state. Meanwhile, these border towns include but are not limited to the following; Ikoyi (Oyo border), Owena (Ondo border), Esa-Oke (Ekiti border), Imesi-Ile (Ekiti border), Ila-Odo (Kwara border) and Ifon Orolu (Oyo border). Others include communities along the Osun/Ogun forest boundary (e.g., near Ijebu-Jesa) Owena-Ijesa (Ondo border), Villages near Ipetu-Ijesha (Ondo/Ekiti border), areas along the Osun/Kwara northern boundary as well as the rural settlements near the Osun/Oyo South Western border. Accordingly, improving border security in the State requires a multi-faceted approach that involves workable policies by the State Government involving the local communities and security architecture to be deployed to checkmate access control across all borders of the State.”
“Also, cult activities in the State have been predominantly identified to be on the high side around Ilesha, Oriade LGA. The Ilesha town has been experiencing numerous cult-related violence and the major stake holders identified as members of various cults groups including: Aiye, Eiye and Vikings. Most members are youths whose indulgence have been observed to be social exclusion, economic hardship, juvenile delinquency, oppression and societal relevance, ” he added.
Also, the representative of the Odun state police commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Operations, AKande Tajudeen, stated that, ” the Command is not relenting in its effort in fighting crimes and criminalities in the State to ensure that crimes in whatever forms are reduced to the barest minimum.”
He recalled that, Over time, the residents of these Boundary, the Communities have had cause to endure incessant security breaches being perpetrated by the inter-state criminals that finding it convenient to strike occasionally & retreat to their base in another state. To this ellest, the Nigeria Police Force Osun State Command has mapped out security strategies to mitigate these occurrences”.
The assistant Commissioner of police Operations, however maintained that,”all hands must continue to be on deck to fight this menace together with sincerity of purpose and faith., ”
Some of other security operatives present at the occasion were the Nigerian army representativs, Director of DSS, representatives of the NSCDC, Immigration officers, Officials of Federal Road Safety Commission,Amotekun Corps, Nigerian hunters amongst others.
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