Killings: Osun forms joint taskforce, orders 24-hour security alert

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The Osun State Government has established a joint security taskforce to strengthen security response and intelligence gathering in the face of threats to lives and property in the state.

The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, and obtained in Osogbo on Thursday, said the move was in response to the recent resurgence in violent crimes in the state.

Alimi also declared the readiness of the state government to provide all necessary logistics to strengthen the protection of lives and property across the state for the new outfit.

“Following the recent security alerts, the Osun State Government has approved the establishment of a joint security task force to strengthen security response and alert to threats to lives and property in the state.

“The decision was adopted at the State Security Council meeting convened yesterday by Governor Ademola Adeleke and presided over by the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, with the new Commissioner of Police in attendance alongside other security commanders.

“The deputy governor, while opening the meeting, conveyed the best wishes of the governor to the service commanders and lauded their steadfastness during recent security challenges and tasked them not to relent in the face of fresh security threats,” Alimi said.

Speaking further, Adewusi told the commanders that Governor Ademola Adeleke was committed to further empowering the security agencies to secure the state, while calling on traditional rulers to sustain their local security oversight.

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The statement further read, “The council, during its deliberations, also used the opportunity of the meeting, which lasted several hours, to further allay the fears of residents over their security and protection, noting that Osun State remains safe and secure.

“The council further tasks residents to be extra vigilant, particularly in churches, mosques and schools, tasking stakeholders to put extra security measures around their premises.”

Assuring the public of their safety, the council further requested timely sharing of intelligence with security agencies by members of the public to forestall attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits.

“The Nigeria Police, in conjunction with other security agencies, were also directed to be on a 24-hour red alert to curtail the threats of the said bandits and terrorists.

“At the meeting, an agreement was also reached between the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police and the DSS to collaborate with a view to ensuring that all the suspects are properly investigated and prosecuted accordingly without delay,” the statement read.

The council commended the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, for instituting policing reforms since his assumption of office and for attending the security meeting in person.