Cases of kidnapping for ransom, highway robbery and herdsmen attacks have taken a difficult dimension in parts of Oyo State, which is affecting residents, expatriates and businesses.
Towards the end of last year, a female quarry worker, Damilola Agboola was abducted at Moniya Area, Ibadan and this came few days after two Indians were kidnapped near the old Toll Gate along Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.
Shortly before that incident, a Lebanese, Hassan Mills was rescued from his abductors, sadly, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps lost his life while a soldier sustained injuries.
It was as a result of the killing of a prominent farmer in Ibarapa area of Oyo State, Fatai Aborode that youths in the area staged a peaceful protest recently.
While the dust is yet to settle on the Aborode killing, three persons were killed by unknown gunmen in Idere in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State.
One of the victims, was the owner of a filling station, Mrs Sherifat Adisa who was abducted and killed while the others, two nine-year-old girls had gone to the station to buy fuel but got caught in the attack.
With the policing system strength of the nation is about thirty-seven thousand which majority of them have been deployed to guard the very important personalities and many of the soldiers have been overwhelmed with joint operations in some states.
With the deteriorating security situation in the country, it is not viable for any state government to depend on the federal government for security of their state as they need to should develop and sustain their own security system to guard the security of lives and property of its citizens.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana recently noted that notwithstanding the shortcomings of the 1999 constitution, there are some residual powers reserved for state governments, which have not been explored to promote the development of the country.
It is therefore necessary that state governors need to leverage on these provisions to insist on power sharing with the federal government with respect to the management of the economy and security of the nation as stipulated by the constitution.
Oyo State government must seek legal advice from lawyers on how to explore constitutional provisions available to secure the lives and property of its people.
The Amotekun Corps in collaboration with other security agencies should be formidable enough to flush out the bandits and robbers hibernating in the state’s forests, and patrol the intra-state highways and roads with the assistance of relevant, maximising technology.
To have a reputable security system entails leadership and efficient coordination which Oyo State government needs to inculcate, coupled with the joint efforts of courageous and capable professionals will reduce the insecurity situation to the barest minimum.
Giving out intelligence report from members of the public would also go a long way in tackling insecurity as they are closer to the grassroots.
While a robust relationship between security personnel and the public must be paramount for them to earn their trust in working together as police cannot be everywhere.
Fawzeeyah Kasheem
