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.
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. 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 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.