Insecurity: Ibarapaland most challenging zone in Oyo – Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde Thursday said, “Ibarapaland is the most challenging zone as far as security is concerned in Oyo state.”

The governor stated this in Eruwa Wednesday while speaking at a Town Hall meeting with representatives of traditional rulers, communities, religious bodies, artisan groups, traders and students from across the entire Ibarapaland area of the state.

He stated that having realised such, his administration is determined to do more to end insecurity in Ibarapaland and other areas of the state.

He added that his government has put in place several measures, including the creation of a Base for Operation Burst in the area and deployment of more Amotekun corps, among others and that these measures have yielded positive results in the last few months.

“Ibarapaland is the most challenging zone as far as security is concerned. Since the last time I came here and now, there has been relative progress, but we will do more. We will strengthen security. Between the last time I came and now, we have set up Operation Burst base and we are in the process of recruiting more Amotekun personnel,” he said.

Governor Makinde added: “But, I want to appeal to you not to leave the government alone to face the issue of insecurity, as we all need to join hands to make things work. That is the only way we have to keep moving together, because the government alone cannot do it. We expect you to work with us and the security agencies.

“The issue of insecurity brought me here the last time and I remember that I made a comment that we needed to tackle those challenges because it is the only way it can affect our economic prosperity. Farmers in Ibarapa could not freely go to their farms because cows are invading their farms. It is a problem that has been existing before we came into government, and one of the promises I made then was to tackle security challenges.”

He said: “And the question to take home is – can anybody here imagine Oyo state without Amotekun? It is one of the initiatives we brought forward. Before we came, there was nothing like that.”