The fundamental duty of governments at all levels is the security and welfare of its citizens. Without security, no welfare plan regardless of its brilliant formulation will thrive. If a government provides the freest of education, students must be safe to learn effectively and teachers safe to teach.
If a government pays salaries as and when due, even crowning it with arrears, workers must be safe to spend these monies.
If a government pays gratuity and pension, there must be security for the retired to enjoy the reward of their labour.
Without guaranteed security, no investor – from Botswana or elsewhere – would come to the State.
In the space of a few weeks, Akinyele Local Government Area of the state experienced consecutive killings of not less than five people. Thankfully, the suspected killer was arrested only to escape again under suspicious conditions. Sadly, his escape caused the community another avoidable death before he was re-arrested.
Insecurity in the state is not limited to Akinyele alone, soon after the Akinyele killings, Taoreed Oluhosola was shot dead by armed robbers in an environment that should be the safest and most secured in the State – the Government House.
In Ibarapa, farmers are hiding their heads at home, abandoning their farms for fear of attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. A recent example is that of Miss Modupe Oyetoso who was kidnapped and her husband killed. The innocent lady was not released until her family paid an undisclosed sum of money.
Less than a month ago, the Chairman of Iganna Local Council Development Area was kidnapped as he made his way to attend a meeting with the Governor in Ibadan. He only regained freedom six days after the kidnap. If the number one citizen of an LCDA is not safe, who then is?
Most recently, traders and residents of the popular Agbeni Ologede Market in Ibadan were ushered into November with attacks from hoodlums, resulting in looting and destruction of good running into tens of millions of naira.
As the wave of insecurity increases, Alhaji Mukaila Auxiliary, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of Park Management System and his boys are also intensifying harassment and intimidation of citizens.
Just yesterday, they reportedly harassed and caned one Mrs Adetunbo publicly, right in the presence of her husband, destroying her car in the process. Another car was said to have been pushed into the carnal to make way for the all-powerful chieftain of PMS.
In fairness to the government, some incidents are inevitable, but when it occurs, the government must respond strongly and prevent a recurrence.
This administration needs to send a very strong signal of zero-crime tolerance to the unscrupulous elements who are now gradually making the pacesetter state their haven.
Beyond the distribution of cars to security agencies, the government needs to draw up workable security policies to ensure the safety of lives and properties.
Amotekun is a possible solution to the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the process should be finalised in time and officers deployed to affected areas.
Sunday Igboho might not be the most powerful ‘militant’ but he is undoubtedly a force to reckon with. His concern and that of others like him should be addressed and they should be brought aboard the Amotekun Structure.
The Commissioner of Police also needs to prove himself worthy of his position as the principal law enforcement officer in the state as developments under his command so far have not been encouraging.
He should charge and motivate his men to arrest this trend of insecurity before it grows into a full-fledged monster.
Governor Seyi Makinde must rise to this occasion of growing insecurity now before it becomes a full-fledged monster.
Finally, as citizens, our safety lies right in our hands. Security is everyone’s business, we must help the government, and security agencies protect us by sharing intelligence and bringing suspicious activities to their attention in time.
God bless and protect Oyo State.
Asubiojo Olujuwon, Marshal writes from Ibadan. He can be reached via
asubiojoolujuwon@gmail.com.
