Oyo govt deepens intelligence-based security

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven security and stronger collaboration with national defence and intelligence institutions to protect lives and property in the state.

The Acting Governor, Barrister Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, stated this on Thursday through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, when he received the Commandant and participants of the Advanced Defence Intelligence Officers’ Course 16 (2026) of the Defence Intelligence College, Karu, on a courtesy visit to the state.

The visit, held at the Conference Room of the Local Government Service Commission, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, formed part of the National Study Tour of the five-to-six-month Advanced Defence Intelligence Officers’ Course.

Lawal described the Defence Intelligence College as “an institution that plays a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s national security and intelligence capacity,” stressing that security remained fundamental to economic development, investment, education and social stability.

He said the state government had continued to strengthen its security architecture through improved inter-agency collaboration, intelligence gathering and sharing, investment in surveillance and communications infrastructure, as well as stronger community engagement.

According to him, the changing security environment, characterised by threats including kidnapping, banditry, sophisticated criminal networks and cyber-related crimes, requires security agencies and governments to continuously improve their capacity to anticipate and respond to emerging threats.

He said Oyo was ready to deepen its partnership with the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security and intelligence institutions in intelligence development, early warning systems, information sharing, capacity building and community-based security.

Lawal urged the course participants to make the most of their study tour by engaging stakeholders and sharing experiences that could contribute to improving security operations.

He said, “Your responsibilities go beyond acquiring professional knowledge. Your ultimate duty is to protect lives, preserve national unity and create an environment where citizens can live and prosper in peace.”

The Acting Governor assured the delegation that the state would continue to support legitimate efforts aimed at maintaining peace and protecting residents.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Defence Intelligence College, Commodore Usman M. Bugaje, said the delegation comprised course participants and faculty members who were in Oyo as part of the field component of the Advanced Defence Intelligence Officers’ Course.

Bugaje explained that the course combines classroom instruction with field exposure, enabling participants to identify security and intelligence gaps and develop actionable recommendations.

He said the study tour would provide the officers with an opportunity to interact with security agencies, military formations and other relevant stakeholders in Oyo State.

The Commandant said the participants would also study the state’s response to recent security challenges, including kidnapping, with a view to identifying lessons that could strengthen intelligence operations.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for his support for security agencies, intelligence operations and the coordination of the state’s security architecture.

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Bugaje said findings from the tour would be documented and shared with state governments and security agencies for possible application in strengthening intelligence and security operations across the country.

He said, “The field exposure is designed to help us identify gaps and provide actionable solutions that will benefit Oyo State and other stakeholders in intelligence and security.”

He added that the exercise would enable the officers to learn from the state’s experiences while contributing professional perspectives to efforts to improve national security.

Among those present at the event were the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Security Coordination, Major-General Lukman Omoniyi (rtd); Garrison Commander, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Brigadier-General A.S. Bugaje; Director of Studies, Jonathan Nyam; chief instructors, principal instructors and members of the faculty of the Defence Intelligence College.