by Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN – In a bid to stem the tide of insecurity across Oyo State, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, on Tuesday, engaged the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, in a high-level strategic security meeting.
The closed-door parley, which held at the Command’s Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, comes on the heels of mounting concerns raised by the legislature over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area and the spate of security incidents in the Oke-Ogun axis.
The meeting serves as a follow-up to a series of resolutions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance deliberated upon by the House in recent weeks.
Speaking during the visit, Speaker Ogundoyin lauded the Commissioner of Police for the immediate impact he has made since his deployment to the state. He also commended the rank and file of the Nigeria Police Force and sister security agencies for their unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and order.
Addressing the recent kidnappings, the Speaker expressed his confidence in the ongoing rescue operations, noting that the professionalism displayed by the security personnel inspires hope for the safe return of the victims.
However, the Speaker shifted focus to the vulnerability of the state’s frontier regions. He explicitly tasked the Police Chief on the need for reinforced security measures in border communities, noting that criminal elements frequently exploit porous borders and remote terrains to execute kidnappings and other heinous crimes.
“There is an urgent need to strengthen our intelligence-gathering mechanisms, intensify patrol operations, and sustain proactive policing strategies,” Ogundoyin stated, emphasizing that these measures are essential to safeguarding lives and property in vulnerable communities.
The session also saw both leaders reviewing the implementation status of various security resolutions recently passed by the House of Assembly.
Reaffirming the legislature’s position, the Speaker noted that the protection of lives and property remains the bedrock of the Assembly’s legislative agenda. He expressed optimism that a robust synergy between the Assembly, security agencies, and the Executive arm of government would bolster public confidence and ensure the long-term stability of the state.
