The Osun State Government has approved the establishment of a Joint Security Task Force (JTF) to strengthen the state’s response to emerging security threats and protect lives and property.
The government also pledged to provide the necessary logistics to facilitate the immediate take-off and effective operation of the task force across the state.
The decision was reached at a State Security Council meeting convened by Governor Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday and presided over by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi.
The meeting was attended by the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, alongside other heads of security agencies in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi.
Adewusi, while declaring the meeting open, conveyed the governor’s goodwill to the security commanders and commended them for their efforts in managing recent security challenges.
He urged the commanders not to relent in their duties, particularly in view of what the government described as fresh security threats.
The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied by the Attorney-General of the state, Wole Jimi-Bada; Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Samuel Ojo, said Adeleke remained committed to strengthening the capacity of security agencies to secure the state.
He also called on traditional rulers to sustain their roles in providing local security oversight within their respective domains.
The Security Council, after deliberations that lasted several hours, sought to reassure residents that the government and security agencies were taking necessary measures to protect them.
It, however, urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly around churches, mosques and schools, while calling on proprietors and managers of such facilities to strengthen security arrangements around their premises.
The council also appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to help prevent possible attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits.
Security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police in collaboration with other agencies, were directed to maintain a 24-hour red alert in response to the reported threats.
The council further agreed that the Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) should strengthen collaboration to ensure that suspects are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted without unnecessary delay.
The meeting ended with the council commending CP Zungura for the policing reforms introduced since his assumption of office and for personally attending the security meeting.
