•Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State
Following the recent security alerts, the Osun State government has approved the establishment of a Joint Security Taskforce to strengthen security response and alert to threats to lives and properties in the state.
The decision was adopted at the State Security Council meeting convened yesterday by Governor Ademola Adeleke and presided over by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, reports Channels TV.
The new Commissioner of Police, alongside other security commanders, was also in attendance.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Alimi, the development was to ensure a smooth take-off of the JTF; the state government declared its readiness to provide all necessary logistics that will strengthen the protection of lives and property of the people throughout the state.
While opening the meeting, the deputy governor conveyed the best wishes of the governor to the service commanders and lauded their steadfastness during recent security challenges and tasked them not to relent in the face of fresh security threats.
Accompanied by the Attorney General of the state, Hon Wole Jimi-Bada; the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina; and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Samuel Ojo, the deputy governor told the commanders that the governor is committed to further empowering the security agencies to secure the state while calling on the traditional rulers to sustain their local security oversight.
The Council, during its deliberations, also used the opportunity of the meeting, which lasted several hours, to further allay the fears of the residents on their security and protection, noting that Osun State remains safe and secure.
The Council further tasked residents to be extra vigilant, particularly in churches, mosques and schools. It charged stakeholders to put extra security measures around their premises.
While assuring the public of their safety, the Council further requested timely intelligence sharing to security agencies by members of the public to forestall attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits.
The Nigeria Police, in conjunction with other security agencies, were also directed to be on a 24-hour red alert to curtail the threats of the said bandits and terrorists.
At the meeting, an agreement was also reached between the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police, and the DSS to collaborate with a view to ensuring that all the suspects are properly investigated and prosecuted accordingly without delay.
The meeting ended with a commendation of the new Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, for instituting policing reforms since his assumption of office and for attending the security meeting in person.
