In response to Governor Seyi Makinde’s alarm on Monday about the influx of bandits into Oyo State, security agencies across the South-West have ramped up measures to tackle the security threat. Punch reports.
This includes intensified border patrols and enhanced collaboration among the police, Amotekun, and military forces in the region.
On Tuesday evening, Oyo State security chiefs convened an emergency meeting to devise new strategies.
Representatives from the military, police, civil defence, and Governor Makinde’s security aides were in attendance.
A top security chief confirmed the meeting to The PUNCH.
Governor Seyi Makinde had on Monday raised the alarm that bandits fleeing military onslaught in the North-West were coming down to Oyo State to take refuge.
Makinde, who spoke during the 2025 inter-faith service held on Monday, gave the assurance that the state government was determined to smoke out and eliminate the bandits.
Speaking on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Base Sociocultural Activities and Veterans’ Parley of the 655 Nigerian Air Force Station, on Tuesday, the governor particularly charged the military to intensify its efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other security threats.
The governor reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing necessary support to ensure the safety of lives and property in the region.
“We want to charge the Nigerian military to intensify its efforts in 2025 to combat terrorism, kidnapping, armed banditry, and other security threats that could hinder the country’s economic development,” Makinde said.
In an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, the Commandant of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.), said the agency was conducting investigations into the Makinde’s alarm.
“My principal said it, and I don’t have any reaction to it until I have more information about that. I have to do my investigations,” Olayanju said.
In its response to Makinde’s outcry, the Ondo State Police Command disclosed ongoing collaboration with Amotekun to secure the state’s borders.
The Ondo Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilfred Afolabi, who made this known to our correspondent in Akure on Tuesday, asserted that the police were making all efforts to ensure that the state is safe.
“That is one of the reasons I’m emphasising community policing and community safety partnership. It is being done to ensure adequate safety of our communities.
“I have our men at the borders of the state. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Amotekun to ensure the safety of the people of the state. There wouldn’t be any room for the influx of bandits in this state,” Afolabi said.
In Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, expressed confidence that the state’s security infrastructure disallowed entry of bandits into the state, highlighting a peaceful holiday season as evidence.
“I am not aware of what the governor said and can only speak on what the Lagos State governor says. Besides, if such a statement had been made by the Lagos State governor, I would have reacted. But I can assure you that no bandits can enter Lagos State.
“You can tell from the carnivals and parties held recently across the state. There was no security breach and this is part of our ongoing efforts to keep the state safe,” Ishola said.
The Corps Commander, Osun Amotekun Corps, Mr Adekunle Omoyele, said the Amotekun focused on strategic locations, especially border communities with other states.
He added that the Osun Amotekun also gave attention to safeguarding the forests in the state, and ensuring that kidnapping and other criminal activities are not allowed to take root in the region.
“With a focus on enhancing security across the state, the Corps has intensified its efforts to protect vulnerable areas such as Owena Ijesa and other strategic locations.
“Amotekun’s operations are designed to leave no room for kidnappers or other criminals to operate undetected in the forests.
“The Corps has deployed its personnel and resources in key forested areas, ensuring that criminal elements have nowhere to hide. Through vigilant surveillance and robust intelligence gathering, the Corps is staying ahead of criminal activities, monitoring developments on the ground and preventing potential threats from escalating,” Omoyele said.
Gani Adams warns
Meanwhile, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, has called on governors in six South-West states to be vigilant and address security concerns decisively.
Adams, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, urged the South-West governors not to downplay the Oyo governor’s revelation.
He held that insecurity remained a major challenge in the country, with the South-West region as a target for bandits and kidnappers.
He also highlighted the ongoing efforts of the South-West Security Stakeholders Group, which includes organizations like the Oodua People’s Congress and Agbekoya Society, in maintaining regional safety.
“The alarm raised by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is a wake-up call to all the governors in the South West.
“I raised a similar alarm last year and nothing was done and it is sad that, up to the present time, nothing has changed, except that insecurity is increasing by the day.
“South West Security Stakeholders Group, including the Oodua People’s Congress, Agbekoya Society, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Professional Hunters, Vigilante Jahun, Agbekoya Peace Movement, Agbekoya Solidarity Movement, COMSAIC, Isokan Ile Oodua, Egbe Obinrin Oodua Agbaye, Omo Oduduwa United, and a few others, under my leadership, have been doing their very best in ensuring that the South-West region is safe.
“But now that Governor Makinde has raised the alarm, there is a need for an urgent approach to address the situation before it gets out of hand.
“Oyo State is the political capital of the South West region and anything that happens in the state, no doubt, has a direct effect on the entire area.
“So, I urge all the governors in the South-West to be vigilant and do the needful by addressing the security situation in their respective states, before it is too late.”
