As part of measures to steam the tide of insecurity in Ibadan and it environs, the Oyo State Security Task Force is resolutely committed to making the state a haven of peace.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by Bisi Ilaka, the Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde while briefing journalists at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Ilaka noted that concerted efforts are ongoing in conceptualizing the Integrated Security Concept earlier adopted which is aimed at improving security architecture for the state.His words:
“The Task Force observed a slight improvement in the security situation in the state. And we also realized that a lot still has to be done in order to have perfect peace in the state and Task Force itself is resolutely committed to making Oyo State a haven of peace.
“Towards this direction, the committee deliberated at length and resolved that the needful be done to ensure the efficiency what has been termed the ‘integrated security concept’ earlier adopted by this state.
“Concerted efforts are going on in conceptualizing this concept. And towards that, an improved security architecture for the state and a number of things would have to follow, which have to include finalizing standard operation for both the state and non-state actors in order that we have synergy for the state.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni says to further optimize the Integrated Security Concept, a gap analysis is on to fully utilize hotspot policing and strategic policing where both state actors and non-state actors will work seamlessly together.
Owoseni added that the security challenges in Ogbomoso may be different from the ones in Saki or Kishi and other areas. He said, “In order to further optimize this ISC, a gap analysis is going on so that we can fully utilize hotspot policing and strategic policing. We think we have got to really need to think and operate quite smart enough against the backdrop of whatever resources we have got.
“The state had taken the architecture of integrated security concept where both state actors and non-state actors will work seamlessly together. But taking it further, a lot of gaps have been identified. The security challenges in Ogbomoso may be different from the ones in Saki or Kishi or Ibadan but it is one.
“In addition, we have also looked at the strength of the combined security or conventional security agencies including Amotekun that we have in the state compared to the population and, of course, the challenges we have.
“It is one thing to say we are having a concept and it is another thing to have regulations and guidance that will guide the performance of the people that are involved. It has been observed that even the non-state actors are always at loggerheads with themselves.
“Taking turns from the first meeting, efforts have been made to put these actors together in order to eliminate the issue of supremacy and rancor among them so that they will work as one. There should be a guideline that they will use so that when they are on the field together in the theatre of operation, no one will want to outdo each other. These are the basic things that came up yesterday.”
