Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Friday declared that there is no more room for brigandage and violent activities in and across Oyo State .
The governor handed down the warning in Ibadan while inaugurating the new Board of Trustees for the state’s Security Trust Fund (OYSSTF), and the newly reconstituted state’s Joint Security Task Force, codenamed `Operation Burst,’ .
According to Governor Ajimobi, before the coming into power of his administration ” in 2011, Oyo State used to be known as a garrison, because of the violence, arson, brigandage and destruction of property being carried out by criminals”saying, “this led to the establishment of a Security Trust Fund and ‘Operation Burst’ in 2013 which eventually brought peace back to the state”.
“We have come to knock on the doors of brigands to flush them out. We decided to choose this location (Idi-Arere) for this occasion because it is generally believed to be the hot spot of criminal activities in the city of Ibadan.With this development therefore, `One million Boys’ should be on the run! There is no more a safe haven for criminals and perpetuators of violence in our state.”he said.
The governor while assuring that other arms and ammunition required to fight crimes and criminal activities to a standstill would be made readily available to the security outfit urged members of the board to apply the Trust Fund law recently amended by the state House of Assembly towards the sustenance of peace, saying the law had paved the way for private sector involvement.
” We were then able to stem the tide of armed robbery, gangsterism and other vices with this instrument of the law.
We have now fortified the ‘Operation Burst’ with officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Special Response Squad of the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to renew the people’s confidence in the capacity and capability of the outfit.”.
Speaking further, the governor disclosed that security was a serious business that involved the participation of all and sundry as well as sustained funding, called for a robust data base and public-private partnership, adding that arrangements were being made for the installation of Closed Circuit Television cameras in strategic areas and a base station where people could call in for emergencies as well as acquisition of aerial patrol helicopter.
In his remarks. the OYSSF board, head and the Deputy Governor, Operations, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Bayo Adelabu, declared that a sustainable funding for security was imperative, as nothing meaningful could be achieved in an atmosphere of insecurity and chaos.
Chief Adelabu who lauded the Governor Ajimobi led administration for restoring sanity to Oyo state after a long period of violence and brigandage preceding his emergence assured that all
members of the board are ready to assist the state government in raising funds through voluntary donations by individuals, groups and corporate bodies.
“The attainment of peace and tranquility is commendable. But, the greater challenge is its sustainability until it becomes our way of life and permanent identity in Oyo State. Security has no colour; it transcends party politics; it goes beyond religious affiliation; it does not recognize economic status; it is blind to ethnic affiliation and it ignores the age of victims.
The uncommon strides of the present administration should, therefore, be commended for eradicating insecurity in Oyo State.” he said.
Other embers of the OYSSTF are the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan; a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Dr. Adesola Adeduntan; Dr. Falil Ayo-Abina; Engr. Femi Odumagbo; and Mr. Vickram Goushani while the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Mr. Femi Oyedipe, will serve as Executive Secretary of the board..
Source: New Nigerian Newspapers
