By John Dike, Osogbo
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has intensified security measures across the state, mobilising hunters, local security groups and conventional security agencies to strengthen the protection of schools and communities against emerging security threats.
He disclosed this on Tuesday following a series of consultations with security stakeholders amid growing concerns over insecurity in parts of the South-West region.
According to Adeleke, the state government has activated all layers of its security architecture to ensure a coordinated response to any threat and to safeguard lives and property.
He explained that the consultations began with grassroots security groups, including local hunters, members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Agbekoya operatives, Amotekun Corps personnel and other community-based security outfits before expanding discussions to include heads of conventional security agencies in the state.
The governor stated that the objective is to create a robust security network capable of detecting, preventing and responding swiftly to criminal activities.
“In the past few days, I have held extensive security consultations with stakeholders across the state, both formal and informal, to strengthen our collective preparedness against emerging threats,” Adeleke said.
He noted that the administration remains committed to protecting residents and preventing criminal elements from gaining a foothold in any part of the state.
“We began at the grassroots level with hunters, OPC, Agbekoya, Amotekun and community-based security groups. Today, we escalated to an expanded State Security Council meeting with service commanders. Every layer of our security architecture is activated and coordinated,”
The governor stressed that securing educational institutions and communities remains a top priority of his administration, adding that intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and strategic deployment of security personnel would be strengthened across the state.
“Securing our schools, our communities and our people is non-negotiable. We are deploying intelligence gathering, strategic collaboration and coordinated action to protect every inch of the state,” he said.
Adeleke also highlighted the importance of traditional institutions in maintaining security at the community level, revealing that he had reached out to the Osun State Traditional Council through the Ooni of Ife to enhance grassroots intelligence and community surveillance.
According to him, traditional rulers possess valuable local knowledge and remain critical partners in efforts to tackle insecurity.
“I have personally reached out to the Osun State Traditional Council of Obas through the Ooni of Ife, and we will soon be meeting with traditional rulers across the state. They are not only custodians of our culture but also the eyes and ears of their various communities,” he said.
The governor called on residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities.
“To the good people of Osun, we are watching, we are working and we will not relent. If you see something, say something,” he urged.
The renewed security mobilisation comes amid heightened concerns over bandit attacks in parts of the South-West, including the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that has sparked widespread calls for stronger security measures across the region.
Observers say Osun’s latest security initiative reflects growing efforts by state governments to complement federal security agencies through community-based intelligence and grassroots collaboration aimed at preventing criminal attacks and ensuring public safety.
