As part of measures to address the insecurity challenges facing local governments in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State, hunters’ leaders and vigilante group members in Oorelope Local Government have been urged to up their games in securing the council.
This charge was given by the Executive Chairman of Oorelope Local Government, Hon. Jacob Ogundiran, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Wasiu Babatunde aka Adua, at a meeting with a community leader and heads of Hunters and Vigilante Groups in the local government.
At the meeting held at the Council Secretariat, Idi Elegba, Igboho, Babatunde, who spoke on behalf of the chairman, said the insecurity situation in the council and surrounding communities called for a serious action and the collaboration of all residents of the council.
In attendance at the meeting were the Baale Erinjakun of Igboholand, High Chief Jimoh Egbeyemi Ogundokun, Balode of Modeke, Balode of Igbope, Balode of Okegboho, Balode of Bonni and members of the Hunters and Vigilante Group.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Mr. Sarafadeen Adewuni and the 10 Councillors in the local government.
The council chairman compelled the leaders of hunters’ group and the operatives of the local government’s vigilante group to come together and become more committed to securing lives and properties in the council.
According to him, the administration of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has been renowned for putting in place a security architecture that has been effective and well-organised and the few challenges in Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope axis should not be allowed to dent the governor’s efforts.
He said: “This is a clarion call to you, our fathers, the Baale Erinjakun, the Balodes and all hunters and vigilante group members. You must rise and do better in securing our people.
“You have been putting in your best efforts but we know you can do more in complementing the efforts of our principal, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, in the area of security.
“We have had a couple of kidnapping and other crimes and as an administration, we believe that more needs to be done to secure our people. That is the reason for bringing together non-state actors like yourselves.
“If you need further support in terms of logistics, our doors are open. But please, we urge you to come together and give your utmost best towards securing our lands.”