• Deploys more security personnel, hunters to forests, game reserves, to document foreign workers, monitor scavengers

From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has disclosed that more and well-equipped security personnel and hunters as well as local vigilante groups will be deployed to secure forests and games reserves in the state to rid them of miscreants.

He spoke after a security council meeting: “Adequate and sterner security measures have become imperative in the face of the waves of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism rocking some parts of the country.

He explained that the special security meeting attended by security chiefs, including the Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), police, Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps (NSCDC) and the South West Security Network, otherwise known as Amotekun, was to map proactive strategies against any form of security breaches:

“The conventional security personnel will collaborate with hunters and local vigilante groups to ensure forests and game reserves in the state do not become safe havens for bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.”

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to consolidate Ogun’s position as the industrial capital of Nigeria and number one destination of choice for investors, declaring his government’s readiness “to provide logistics and other necessary supports to security agencies to make Ogun the safest state in the country.

“Government has identified some security flash points in Ijebu Ode and a settlement in Ajebo Town in Obafemi-Owode Local Government. Necessary security measures will be taken to address the identified security challenges.

“Security checks on the Ajebo settlement, however, revealed that the inhabitants have been residing at the location for decades, security agencies have been put on the alert to ensure the location does not harbour criminals.”

He vowed that government would clear the shanties at the Ijebu-Ode flash point and prosecute any landlord harbouring criminals in the area: “No fewer than 70 non-Nigerians from Chad, Niger and Mali, were rounded up by security agents in the last two weeks. The arrested foreigners who could not speak or understand English have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for profiling and necessary actions.”

He disclosed that a robust security arrangement would be put in place to secure the state from bandits, terrorists and other criminals: “Government will begin the documentation of all undocumented foreign nationals working with multinational companies operating in the state.

“Non-indigenes entering the state for the first time will undergo proper screening by their community leaders to ensure they are not used to orchestrate violence. Government must know their purposes and means of livelihood. Ogun receives more than five million daily commuters, making it crucial for government to heighten vigilance.”

He directed the police to immediately move into areas such as “Zanga” in Ijebu-Ode and similar enclaves across the state and clear them out, warning that properties used by criminals would henceforth be seized by the government: “We discussed the issue of scavengers who have become more of a threat. Law enforcement agencies will pay particular attention to them. We will engage them to ensure they are not being used to perpetrate crimes in the state.

“Government is aware that some miners operate as miscreants. We are working with security agencies to flush out criminals from mining sites and forest reserves. Security is not the responsibility of security agents alone. We must work with them. We must report anything suspicious so law enforcement can respond promptly. We must be observant and be our brother’s keeper.”

While calling for the people’s support in his administration’s fight against insecurity, Abiodun said: “Provision of adequate security will continue to be a top priority of this administration.”