Oyo Govt. vows to deal with banditry, illegal mining

The Oyo State Government has vowed to deal with banditry, illegal mining and other security threats across the state.

Mr Fatai Owoseni, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, said this on Thursday, in Ibadan, after a security council meeting, presided by Gov. Seyi Makinde.

Owoseni, while addressing newsmen said the meeting was an initiative to holistically appraise the security situation of the state, through feedbacks from all cadres of leadership in the state.

He warned all illegal miners, bandits, illegal migrants, cultists and other criminals to vacate the state.

According to him, the government is determined to deal decisively with all criminal minded individuals operating in any part of the state.

He urged residents to take security issues seriously, assuring them of prompt response to security concerns.

Owoseni also called on residents to make use of the toll free ‘615’ security number, in case of any emergency.

Intimating newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Adenola, said the council resolved that there would not be “stereotyping of people and criminality in the state”.

“Every Nigerian has a right to reside peacefully in their preferred part of the country,” Adenola said.

He disclosed that the council asked all miners to obtain licences, if they want to operate in the state.

The commissioner said government would be looking at the boundary disputes, with a view to put an end to them.

“Also government will convene a meeting to address all pending boundary issues after Ramadan,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Titiloye, assured that the traditional leaders would support security operatives in their respective domains.

The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Abiodun Aikomo, reiterated government commitment to the enforcement of the rule of law, to make the state safer.

Aikomo said the state would continue to enforce the Executive Order on the protection of mining communities against insecurity and exploitation.

It was reported that members of the state executive council, security chiefs, traditional leaders and all the 33 local government chairmen, attended the meeting.