The Oyo State House of Assembly, during its plenary sitting on Thursday presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, called for stronger security surveillance and the strategic deployment of patrol vehicles across the state to improve public safety, deter criminal activities, and enhance rapid response to security threats.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ibadan North West State Constituency, Hon. Dawood Olalere, who noted that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government and a critical factor for economic development, social stability, and the well-being of citizens.
Hon. Olalere commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his sustained investment in security through regular support for security agencies, strengthening of the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), provision of patrol vehicles and logistics, as well as the recent acquisition of surveillance aircraft to boost aerial monitoring and intelligence gathering across the state.
Despite these efforts, the lawmaker observed that incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, violent attacks, and other criminal activities continue to occur in some parts of the state.
He cited recent cases including the abduction of passengers along the Igbeti-Kishi Road in Irepo Local Government Area, rescue operations involving kidnapped victims around Ilora in Afijio Local Government Area, the killing of forest guards at the National Park Service in Oloka, Oriire Local Government Area by suspected bandits and the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government.
He acknowledged the successes recorded by the police and other security agencies through the arrest of criminal suspects and the interception of thousands of smuggled cartridges, but expressed concern over growing reports of kidnapping, gang violence, robbery, and related crimes in parts of Ibadan and other communities in Oyo State which have heightened fear among residents.
According to Hon. Olalere, security patrol vehicles are often less visible during late-night and early-morning periods when many criminal activities are perpetrated.
He stressed that the strategic positioning of patrol vehicles along major highways, town entry and exit points, markets, transport hubs, and other sensitive locations would serve as a visible deterrent and significantly improve emergency responses.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Abiodun Babalola, representing Ibadan North East I, urged the House Committee on Security and Strategy to conduct oversight on patrol vehicles previously provided to security agencies by the state government to ascertain their functionality, effectiveness, and operational status.
He also called for stronger inter-state security collaboration to tackle criminal activities that transcend state boundaries.
In her contribution, Hon. Olufunke Comforter, representing Ibadan North I, lamented the worsening security situation across the country and appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the planned constitutional amendment that would allow for the creation of state police as a means of strengthening grassroots security and local law enforcement.
Following deliberations, the House unanimously adopted the motion and its recommendations, and commended Governor Makinde for his continued commitment to strengthening the state’s security architecture.
The Assembly subsequently urged the Executive Arm of Government, through the Executive Assistant on Security, to work with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to strengthen the deployment of patrol vehicles across strategic locations in all zones of the state while sustaining support for Amotekun Corps, Operation Burst, and other security formations with patrol vehicles, communication gadgets, surveillance tools, and other operational logistics.
The House further directed the development of a coordinated patrol framework to ensure regular deployment of security personnel and patrol vehicles across highways, urban centres, rural communities, and vulnerable corridors, particularly during midnight and early morning hours.
It also called on the Ministry of Information and Orientation to intensify public sensitisation and encourage citizens to report suspicious activities, while mandating the House Committee on Security and Strategy to conduct oversight on patrol deployments and interface with security agencies to ensure effective surveillance and adequate night patrol coverage across Oyo State.
