The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has promised better security for Oyo residents as he reiterated his administration’s commitment towards ensuring that the state is crime-free ahead of the Yuletide season.
Makinde stated this on Friday while handing over operational security vehicles to men and officers of the state ‘Swift Response Squad’ and Operation Burst at a brief event held at the Government House.
The Governor assured officers of the Nigeria Police Force serving in Oyo State Command that his administration will continue to support them and their families. He noted that the officers are the ones saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property to ensure crimes are controlled. Hence, the need for the Government to priorities their welfare. His words:
“This is a period irrespective of what people have been doing from the beginning of the year till now, they still want to have a merry Christmas but there are people out there who didn’t sow anything but want to reap where they didn’t sow.”
“Yes, we have had a challenging year, COVID-19 from the beginning of the year, then the economic meltdown and the ENDSARS protest. We won’t because of these challenges not do what we are suppose to do.
“I want let the men and officers of the Nigeria Police serving in Oyo State Command to know that we will continue to support them, their families. It’s unfortunate what happened during the ENDSARS protest, like the CP said, we have to put all of these behind us and then let us face the challenges ahead.”
“Officers and men are going to be in charge of these vehicles, they will be the ones to put their lives on the line to go out there to fight crime.
So, what is the most important for us is the welfare of officers that are involved here both at the Operation Burst and Swift Response Squad.”
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Nwachukwu Enwonwu described Makinde’s gesture as another milestone which will sustain and embolden security status of the state.
Enwonwu added that this gesture will provide conducive atmosphere for local, institutional and foreign investors if the environment is secured and safe.
The event was attended by the Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, Chairman of Operation Burst, Ajibola Togun among others. Ten vehicles were handed over to the police while Operation Burst got 15.
He said: “I want to assure you that with this new set of vehicles, the Police, on its part, will do their level best to reinforce security and make sure that people can confidently come out, do their businesses and sleep with their two eyes closed.
“During the operational tour of IGP, he spoke to the officers and made it abundantly clear that we should all come out confidently to give the best of security to the people of Oyo State. And we should put behind whatever that had happened during the #EndSARS protest that led to the loss of life. We have actually taken that in our stripes.
“As I speak to you, we are presently doing training and retraining in our two mobile platforms of MOPOL 4 and MOPOL 72, Ago- Are, with a view to reinforce and rebuild confidence in the officers and men of Oyo State.
“I appreciate you sincerely for this wonderful gesture.”
