The Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Security and Strategy continues its mission towards ensuring effective working relationship with the security agencies in the state.
This time around, the Committee visited the Oyo State Commands of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Department of Security Service (DSS).
Speaking at the Eleyele Police Command, the leader of the delegation and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, lauded the Police for its efforts in reducing and preventing crimes in Oyo State, particularly its prompt response to the invasion of the state secretariat by Yoruba agitators.
The Speaker disclosed that the purpose of the visit is to open a channel of communication between the Nigeria Police and the state legislative arm of government.
On the constitutional amendments as regards the call for the state police, Hon. Ogundoyin reiterated the position of Speakers of the 36 House of Assemblies in the country.
He said the call was occasioned by inadequate police officers to secure the country’s population.
While appreciating the police for effective synergy with other sister agencies, urged them to be prompt in responding to distress calls and continue to embark on intelligent gathering to apprehend criminals before crimes are committed.
Ogundoyin called on relevant stakeholders and the general public to see the Nigeria Police Force as a partner in progress, imploring them to avail the police vital information that will help them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
In his remarks at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Speaker called for synergy between the Agency and legislative arm of government to come up with legislation that help in curbing drug abuse in the state.
He expressed the readiness of the state House of Assembly to support the Agency to discharge her duties, emphasizing that many crimes are being committed under the influence of drugs.
Ogundoyin restated that there is need for all hands to be on deck to check the excesses use of drugs particularly to safe the future generations.
At the Department of Security Service, Hon. Ogundoyin, charged the Director of DSS to be at alert concerning the rumour making the rounds that the Yoruba agitators are preparing for another attack.
The Commissioner of Police, Hazmat Adebola, appreciated the Oyo State House of Assembly for the working visit.
He reiterated the commitment of the Force to its duty of protecting the citizenry.
Reacting to the issue of state police, the CP described it as a good idea because Nigeria is grossly under-policed, however, called for proper planning.
He said Nigeria Police is not meeting up with the ratio of 1 police personnel per 450 citizens as recommended by the United Nations.
He said that the Police is doing its best within its capacity despite the fact that it doesn’t have enough manpower to perform its duties.
The Director of DSS, Olumomi said the last attack was as a result of intelligence failure, and assured that all security agencies are fully at alert.
The DSS Director tasked members of the public to continue to furnish the Department with useful information that will lead to arrest of criminals, saying that attacks by the criminals are based on inside information.
He said the era of hiding information for security agencies especially the DSS is over.
“People should trust us with information. They should be vigilant and be ready to inform us of strange people, activities and movements.
“Our is a Counter Intelligent Organisation to promote the internal security of our nation, and peaceful co-existence of the different tribes.”
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State, Commander, Olayinka Joe-Fadile, said that the Agency is blessed with capable men and officers, however, solicited the support of the state government for the provision of patrol vehicles and motorbikes to ease their movement and operations.
The Commander disclosed that Oyo State has the highest number of drug abusers after Lagos in the South Western part of the country.
He said that the Agency needed patrol vehicles to monitor Iseyin expressway, Ife expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway in order to combat the menace of drug abuse effectively.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Dawud Olalere, stated that youth engagement in drug usage and trafficking is very alarming, therefore, charged the Agency to improve on the level of awareness and sensitization on the danger associating with the menace.
He specifically mentioned that the awareness and sensitization should be taking to motor parks and higher institutions across the state .