IBADAN — Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, has issued a firm pledge to rid his domain of criminal elements, promising that his administration will spare no cost and effort to secure the lives and property of residents making the state increasingly hostile territory for criminals.
At the close of an expanded security council meeting attended by state executive council members, service commanders, local government chairmen and traditional rulers Makinde, via his Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a “zero‑tolerance” posture against crime and insecurity. The assurance extends to every corner of the state, with particular emphasis on areas identified as security flashpoints.
The state government has rolled out a suite of security strategies designed to deter criminal activity and restore public confidence. Among these measures are joint visibility patrols, swift‑deployment squads, and community‑level vigilance through collaboration with non‑state actors, traditional rulers, and local government networks. In a significant step forward, the administration says it is combing vulnerable forest belts notably around the Old Oyo National Park to prevent the infiltration or establishment of bandits and terrorists.
In addition to on‑the‑ground patrols and surveillance, the government is strengthening institutional security architecture. Recent efforts include the commissioning of a rebuilt police area command headquarters in Moniya, aimed at improving response times and expanding policing coverage across urban and rural zones. Local governments and traditional institutions have affirmed their support, pledging to collaborate with security agencies in safeguarding their communities.
Officials insist that the fight against insecurity will be holistic and persistent. The administration has called on citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity via the state’s emergency hotline, as community participation forms a core pillar of the renewed security strategy.
As terrorist and criminal migration continue to pressure neighbouring zones, Oyo’s aggressive posture both preventive and responsive underscores a broader resolve among southern states to pre-empt spillover from troubled regions.
Only time will tell whether the measures translate into lasting security, but for now, the message from Ibadan is unequivocal: Oyo State intends to become unsafe for criminals.