Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has declared that henceforth, no form of criminal activity will be tolerated in the state.
He said that his determination was to ensure that the war against all forms of criminal activities in the state saw the light of the day through the provision of necessary assistance to the security agencies.
Ajimobi stated this on Friday while inaugurating the new Board of Trustees for the state’s Security Trust Fund (OYSSTF).
The board, DAILY POST reports is headed by the Deputy Governor, Operations, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Adebayo Adelabu.
Other members of the OYSSTF include the 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.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Mr. Femi Oyedipe is to serve as Executive Secretary of the board.
The mandate of the board is to reinvigorate the security outfit.
Ajimobi also on Friday inaugurated the newly reconstituted state’s Joint Security Task Force, codenamed `Operation Burst,’ at Idi-Arere, an area which is considered one of the hot spots in the city of Ibadan.
He described the two occasions as a milestone in his administration’s efforts at stamping out all forms of brigandage and violent activities, which, he said, had earned the state the appellation of a garrison before the advent of his administration.
“Before our administration came on board 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.
“This led to the establishment of a Security Trust Fund and ‘Operation Burst’ in 2013 which eventually brought peace back to the state. 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,” he said
While inaugurating the 20 new patrol vans donated to the state by the OYSSTF, Ajimobi promised that other arms and ammunition required to fight crimes and criminal activities to a standstill would be made readily available to the security outfit.
He charged 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.
Ajimobi who emphasized that security was a serious business that involved the participation of all and sundry, called for a robust data base and public-private partnership.
Ajimobi said 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.
“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.”
Adelabu in his remarks said that a sustainable funding for security was imperative, adding that nothing meaningful could be achieved in an atmosphere of insecurity and chaos.
He commended the Ajimobi administration for restoring sanity to the state after a long period of violence and brigandage preceding his emergence.
Adelabu then pledged his members’ readiness to assist 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.”
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