Oyo govt moves against illegal arms, light weapons, illegal migrants

Gov. Makinde

Oyo State government has stated that necessary security measures have been put in place to checkmate proliferation of illegal arms, light weapons and illegal migrants in the 33 local government areas of the State.

The Special Adviser on Homeland Security to Oyo State Governor, Retired Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration (ACG), Segun Adegoke made this known when he led a team of security officers from the Department of State Service (DSS), Police, Immigration, Customs, and NSCDC on a sensitization visit to the state’s border towns.

He maintained that the governor mandated the visit to inform residents of border communities on measures being taken by the government to stem the proliferation of small arms and ammunition in the state.

Adegoke noted that the governor’s mandate was based on security report, following the interception of some trucks filled with arms, ammunition and illegal immigrants in the state and the allegation of collusion between some residents and the smugglers/traffickers.

Some of the communities visited included Iwere-Ile in Iwajowa Local Government, Saki West Local Government, Iseyin Local Government and Ibarapa North Local Government.

The Special Adviser and the security team met with local government chairmen, traditional rulers and border patrol security personnel.

During interactive sessions with the people of various local governments visited, Adegoke noted that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons had placed Nigeria in a vulnerable state of insecurity, conflict, destruction and communal clashes, which had resulted in loss of lives and rendered people homeless.

He said: “The purpose of the visit is to sensitise and educate the people and relevant security stakeholders within the border towns on the dangers of possession of illegal arms, light weapons and migration of irregular foreigners, as they affect security of lives and property in the state.

“The proliferation of small arms and light weapons is part of organised crimes and adjudged as the major security challenge to people, societies and states worldwide, fuelling civil wars, insurgency, organised criminal violence, human trafficking and drugs, armed robbery, abduction and kidnapping.

“The menace poses challenges to security and sustainable development in the country.

“Based on the existential experience in some parts of our country, the influx of illegal immigrants has the potential of being a threat to our collective security and socio-economic development.

“We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to these issues and it is our collective responsibility to take measures to stem the tide. As leaders, we must work together to address these challenges and ensure the safety and well-being of our people.”

While identifying inadequate border control, weak law enforcement and expansive nature of the border areas as some of the factors contributing to the proliferation of small arms, Adegoke sought the cooperation of relevant security stakeholders to strengthen the borders and improve on surveillance to prevent illegal importation of arms.

He added: “To our youths, I wish to reiterate that you play a crucial role in addressing these issues, as you are the eyes and ears of your communities to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

“I also urge the traditional rulers and community leaders present here today to use your influence to discourage the possession and use of illegal arms in your communities.”

In their separate contributions, the chairmen of the local governments and the traditional rulers pledged to intensify efforts in ensuring that the state’s border towns are secured from illegal arms and immigrants.

Adegoke, who also addressed the border patrol security agencies to perform their duties professionally, assured them that there would be rewards for outstanding officers, who apprehend perpetrators of illegal ammunition.

He added that more work should be put in to promote a culture of peace and unity in the communities, as it would help to reduce the demand for arms and curb the influx of illegal arms and light weapons and immigration.

Meanwhile, Oyo State government has shortlisted 15,000 out of 22,235 applicants for the various vacant positions in the state civil service.

The Computer Based Test (CBT) for the shortlisted applicants will commence on Monday at the various centres.

Chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Chief Kamoru Abiodun Aderibigbe disclosed these at a press briefing in Ibadan on Friday.

He added that out of the 15,000 shortlisted applicants, 900 successful candidates would be recruited to fill the vacant positions in the civil service.

“The recruitment is unprecedented in the history of Oyo State, as there has never been a time in the last two decades when such recruitment was done, as it has always been on cadre basis.

“The present administration recruited 60 environmental health personnel in 2020, 692 education officers, 30 state counsel in the same year, while 19 officers were recently recruited for the Ministry of Lands.

“As for the ongoing process, 22,235 applications successfully submitted their details into the state government job portal out of which roughly 15,000, which is about 67%, were qualified for recruitment into the cadres for which they have applied in line with the scheme of service and the parameters stated in our Nigerian Tribune advertisement of 7th October, 2024.

“Consequently, the applicants have been divided into two groups for examination for competence. Those seeking employment as Education Officers, Environmental Health Personnel, Social Welfare and Youth will sit the CBT at the Arch. Bamidele Samson CBT Center, Opposite UCH, on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 November, while others will sit for theirs at the Distance Learning CBT Center, Ajibode, Ibadan, on Thursday, 28 November, 2024. Invites are already being sent to successful applicants.”

“Where an applicant is yet to get the invite, he/she should continue to try and hopefully he will be invited if qualified. Where an applicant is yet to receive an invite, he/she should go to the Oyo State Government portal and refresh if qualified by all the parameters stated in our publication.”

Soji Ajibola