Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, presented six (6) newly-upgraded Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the Nigeria Police, Oyo State Command to enhance the security architecture of the state.
He assured that his administration would continue to secure lives and properties of the citizens, noting that the refurbishment of the APCs demonstrated further commitment to securing the state.
The governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, presented the APCs to the police at the Governor’s Office Car Park, Secretariat, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
He said the state government would continue to structure its activities around stability, peace and security of the people of the state, stressing that the government was complementing efforts of the Federal Government as regards security.
Makinde charged the police to effectively deploy the APCs, adding: “As a government, we know that the security of lives and properties is sine qua non to the stability of the state. As such, we bring to the fore robust architecture for the security of every part of Oyo State.
“You know as well that we have scaled up the security of lives and properties in Oyo State by proposing to acquire two new aircraft, which means the entire security of the state would be captured.
“With regards to land security, apart from vehicles that move on roads, these APCs are another dimension to enhancing the security of the environment.
“As the Commissioner of Police has said, we may pride ourselves as one of the few states in Nigeria that are paying attention to the security of our states. This is just a manifestation of the effort of the Oyo State government in that regard.
“These facilities come at a huge cost to the state government. But we are not limiting the issue of security to the Federal Government alone.”
Responding, the state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, described Governor Makinde as one of the most-security-friendly governors in the country.
He appreciated Makinde for his efforts in keeping the state safe and also his commitment to enhancing the operations of the security personnel in the state.
The police commissioner added that the APCs would enhance the productivity of police, assuring residents of the state of increased safety.
CP Adenola said: “I want to thank the state government, particularly His Excellency, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, for this kind gesture.
“I said it before, our state governor is one of the most-security-friendly governors in this country.
“I have served in several states of the country and I said that, with the exception of Lagos State where the state’s Security Trust Fund is taking care of all these things, Oyo is a state where the governor is directly involved in security issues, funding security.
“The APCs donated to us today, six of them, are massive. They are going to enhance our operations and help our battle against kidnapping, banditry, and all forms of vices.
“With these in our possession, security will be beefed up in the state. Residents can rest assured of their safety and I can assure them they can afford to go to bed and sleep with their two eyes closed.
“I am equally calling on our colleagues in the security system, other services, that they are welcome on board. Jointly, we can use these to combat all forms of criminality in the state.
“Yes, they are in our custody, they are in our possession, but they are for the use of all of us for whatever operation that might be coming up, security-wise. So, they should not shy away from letting us know.
“Once again, I want to appreciate the governor and the good people for this kind gesture.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Executive Assistant on Security to the Governor, CP Sunday Odukoya (retd), commended Governor Makinde for the funding of the security sector in the state.
CP Odukoya said the presentation of the APCs would further enhance the performance of the police.
Present at the event were the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Professor Salihu AbdulWaheed; Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni; and Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaja Wasilat Adegoke.
Others present included Executive Adviser (Rule of Law Enforcement), CP Ayodele Sonubi (rtd.), and Special Adviser on Homeland Security, AGC Segun Adegoke (rtd).
