…Urges Limit To Night Time Events
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has commiserated with the people of Ora Igbomina over recent banditry attacks in the community.
He assured residents that military-backed rescue and protection operations are underway to restore peace and prevent further incidents.
According to the governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, the governor gave the assurance after an emergency State Security Council meeting held on Wednesday evening, describing the attack as saddening and a major security breach despite pre-emptive measures put in place by the state government in recent months.
Adeleke said security agencies, including the police, the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS), have been conducting coordinated operations in Ora and adjoining border communities for the past three days, with a focus on flushing out criminal elements and securing the release of a retired customs officer abducted during the attack.
“From the moment of the unfortunate incident, our security forces have launched a rescue and protection operations. For the past three days, both the police, the army and the DSS have been combing the areas for rescue and also reviewing the security apparatus. A delicate operation is ongoing and we dont want to jeopardise the integrity of the process,” the governor said.
He disclosed that the state government would soon deploy refurbished armoured vehicles across Osun to strengthen security operations, alongside the procurement of additional patrol vehicles to enhance police response.
According to him, the state’s joint security patrol programme is also being reviewed and would be unveiled at the appropriate time.
“As part of our security plan, we will soon deploy the refurbished armoured tanks for operations across the state. We are also procuring patrol vehicles to strengthen police and security operations in the state. Additionally, we are reviewing the joint security patrol programme. It will be unveiled at the right time to further protect our people,” he noted.
As part of efforts to forestall further security breaches and prevent possible spillover from neighbouring states, Adeleke issued new operational guidelines for the Osun Amotekun Corps, directing the outfit to ensure proper coordination with the police in all operations.
The governor ordered an operational meeting between the police authorities and Amotekun leadership, warning that working in silos would no longer be tolerated. He stressed that synergy among security agencies is critical to effectively tackling emerging security challenges in the state.
Announcing the resumption of full operations by the Amotekun Corps under the new guidelines, Adeleke said the outfit remains vital to safeguarding lives and property, especially in border communities currently facing security threats.
The governor also urged residents to limit night-time activities, particularly during the yuletide season, noting that criminals often target late-night gatherings.
“We are facing an emergency in our border towns and it is important to get the Amotekun back to the field as urgently as possible.
“I must however plead with members of the public to reduce late night activities. In addition to the bandtry challenge, we are in the yuletide period when our people need to be security conscious. Criminals are targeting late night gatherings. We need to stick to daytime time event to further protect ourselves.
“I once again commiserate with victims of recent banditry attacks. We are working tireleslly to prevent reoccurence,” he said.
NEWSNGR reports that gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked Ora community on Monday evening, killing a village chief and abducting a former customs officer.
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