To stop the rising cross-border criminality, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has asked for the creation of a trans-regional security task force.
When Major General Valentine Okoro, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, paid him a courtesy visit in Osogbo on Tuesday, he made the call.
According to Adeleke, the visit is highly important and presents a chance to improve the security plan for maintaining the current state of peace and stability throughout the area, not only in Osun.
“I call for the establishment of a regional task force to track and curb cross-border criminality in the southwest and other areas under his Command.
“With a symbiotic working relationship between the state government and the military, I assure the military team that Osun is the home of hospitality where no one is discriminated against based on tribe, ethnicity or religion,2 he said.
The governor lauded the Commander of Engineering Construction Regiment, Ede Army Barracks, Brigadier General Sulaimon, for a good job in securing the state.
Adeleke revealed that the awareness of the military barracks in Ede is enough deterrent to criminals who might be scouting for a place to perpetuate their criminal activities.
General Okoro, while lauding the governor for creating a safe and secure environment for residents to live and conduct lawful businesses, added that he was in Osun as part of efforts to familiarise himself with the operational procedures in states under his Command.
He described Osun State as lucky with the presence of the Engineering Construction Command, Ede, which is full of all sorts of Army engineers, specialists and combatants that contribute to the State’s security architecture.
He appreciated the government and people of Osun for creating a stable and secure environment.
“I appeal for more collaboration between the security agencies and the people not just to secure but to sustain the stable environment but to improve on it by volunteering relevant and genuine information to the Nigerian Army because it is a people-centric organisation,” Gen Okoro added.