Oyo govt intensifies community policing, intelligence gathering to prevent security breach

The Oyo State Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen security across the state following the recent security breach in Oriire Local Government Area, with a renewed focus on intelligence gathering, community policing and collaboration among security agencies.

The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Homeland Security, Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration (Rtd.) Segun Adegoke disclosed this during a security awareness and stakeholders’ engagement tour across the Oyo North, Oyo Central and Oyo South Senatorial Districts.

The engagement, directed by Governor Makinde, was organised through the State Committee on the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Illegal Immigrants as part of measures to prevent a recurrence of the Oriire incident and reinforce the state’s security architecture.

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The committee visited Surulere, Ogo-Oluwa, Oriire, Olorunsogo, Irepo, Kajola, Ibarapa Central and Ido Local Government Areas, where it met with council chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders, farmers, Fulani leaders and other stakeholders.

Speaking during the engagements, Adegoke said the government was determined to transform the unfortunate security incident in Oriire into an opportunity to strengthen security and deepen cooperation between government, security agencies and local communities.

He said, “The Governor’s message is clear: every life matters, every community matters, and every security concern deserves prompt attention. Our administration will continue to pursue a proactive, intelligence-led and community-centred approach to security because prevention is always more effective than crisis management.”

Describing security as the bedrock of development, he noted that peace remained essential for economic growth, agriculture, education, healthcare and investment.

According to him, “Security is the foundation upon which economic growth, agriculture, education, healthcare and investment are built. Without peace, development cannot flourish.

“This is why the Government of Oyo State continues to support security agencies with logistics, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and promote community participation in protecting lives and property.”

Adegoke stressed that the statewide tour was designed to bring government closer to the people and identify peculiar security challenges in different communities.

“This tour is not a routine official visit. It is a deliberate effort to take government closer to the people. We are here to listen to your concerns, understand local security challenges and work together to develop practical solutions that will prevent future conflicts,” he said.

The Governor’s aide urged residents to remain vigilant, know their neighbours and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies, warning against the spread of false information capable of creating panic.

He said, “Our appeal to every resident is straightforward. Be vigilant. Know your neighbours. Report suspicious movements promptly. Do not spread rumours or inflammatory messages, especially through social media. False information has the potential to create panic, fuel violence and undermine public confidence.”

On migration management, Adegoke emphasised the need for lawful migration and proper documentation.

He added: “We encourage lawful migration, proper documentation and close collaboration between community leaders and security agencies to identify and address emerging security risks while respecting the rights and dignity of every individual.”

He further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, saying: “We shall continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve collaboration among security agencies, support community policing initiatives, encourage early warning and early response mechanisms, and ensure that every resident feels safe to live, work and invest in Oyo State.”

During the interactive sessions, stakeholders expressed concern over the influx of unprofiled migrants into parts of the state and called for strict enforcement of the Oyo State Anti-Open Grazing Law.

They also appealed to the state government to integrate local hunters and vigilante groups into the formal security architecture, increase funding for security operations, conduct comprehensive profiling of migrants, intensify surveillance of forest reserves and establish military bases in forest-bordering communities.

Chairmen of Surulere, Ogo-Oluwa, Oriire, Olorunsogo, Irepo, Kajola, Ibarapa Central and Ido local government areas also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.

Representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency reiterated the need for sustained intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration to tackle insecurity.

They also encouraged residents to make use of the state’s toll-free emergency number, 615, to report suspicious activities for prompt response.

As part of the tour, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Onjo of Okeho, Oba (Dr.) Mas’ud Oyekola Arowoduye II, in recognition of the role of traditional institutions in promoting peace and security across the state.