The Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday called for stronger security surveillance and strategic deployment of patrol vehicles across the state.
The call, said the house, would improve public safety, deter criminal activities, and enhance rapid response to security threats.
Truthng reports that the resolution followed a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ibadan North-West, Mr Dawood Olalere.
According to Olalere, security is the government’s primary responsibility, being a critical factor in economic development, social stability, and citizens’ well-being.
He commended Gov. Seyi Makinde for supporting security agencies with patrol vehicles and the recent acquisition of surveillance aircraft to boost aerial monitoring and intelligence gathering across the state.
He, however, added that despite these efforts, incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, violent attacks, and other criminal activities had continued to occur in some parts of the state.
He cited recent cases of passengers’ abduction along the Igbeti-Kishi Road in Irepo Local Government Area (LGA) and the rescue operations of kidnapped victims around Ilora in Afijio LGA.
He added the killing of forest guards at the National Park Service in Oloka, Oriire LGA, by suspected bandits, and the recent abduction of students and teachers, also at Oriire LGA.
He acknowledged the successes recorded by the police and other security agencies through the arrest of criminal suspects and the interception of thousands of smuggled cartridges.
“I am concerned over growing reports of kidnapping, gang violence, robbery, and related crimes in parts of Ibadan and other communities in Oyo State, which have heightened fear among residents,” he said.
According to Olalere, security patrol vehicles are often less visible during late-night and early-morning periods when many crimes are committed.
He said that the strategic positioning of patrol vehicles along major highways, town entry and exit points, markets, transport hubs, and other sensitive locations would deter criminals and significantly improve emergency responses.
Mr Abiodun Babalola, representing Ibadan North-East I, urged the House Committee on Security and Strategy to check on patrol vehicles previously provided to security agencies by the state government.
The check, he said, would be to ascertain the vehicles’ functionality, effectiveness, and operational status.
He also called for stronger inter-state security collaboration to tackle criminal activities that transcend state boundaries.
Mrs Olufunke Comforter, representing Ibadan North I, lamented the worsening security situation across the country and appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the planned constitutional amendment.
“The amendment will allow for the creation of state police as a means of strengthening grassroots security and local law enforcement,” she said.
The Assembly subsequently urged the Executive Arm of Government, through the Executive Assistant on Security, to strengthen ties with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
The ties, the lawmakers said, would strengthen the deployment of patrol vehicles across the strategic locations in all the state zones.
Meanwhile, the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, called on the Ministry of Information and Orientation to intensify public sensitisation and encourage citizens to report suspicious activities.
