By Ayodele Oni
An emergency security council meeting was held in Osogbo, Osun State on Tuesday, following what Governor Ademola Adeleke described as threat to peace and security within the state school system and rural farm communities.
The governor explained that the meeting of the state security council became imperative in order to put in place major security reforms.
In a statement, the Governor made reference to intelligence snippets of deliberate mobilisation of criminal elements to the rural areas of the state, stressing that such reports are alarming and pose serious concerns to the well being of Osun people.
He noted that the administration is worried about reports that those behind the plot are targeting disruption of farming activities through kidnappings and attacks on rural farm settlements.
It was further revealed that schools are being targeted with abductions and attacks as a way of distraction from the implementation of the safe school initiative and the multi-billion naira infrastructure plan.
Adeleke noted that while a meeting of the state security council has been summoned, preliminary directives have been issued to school authorities to take precautions to enhance the safety of pupils and students.
“The Ministry of Education and all education agencies have been ordered to review safety measures in Osun schools in line with the safe school initiative.
“In specific terms, school principals and heads are expected to clear overgrown school environments and ensure close liaison with the Parents and Teachers Association to secure their school environments.”
According to the Governor, “we expect the initial report to contain practical and implementable measures to safeguard our farming communities through closer integration and mobilization of the local hunters and forest rangers.”
The Governor further announced plans to embark on major reforms of the Amotekun security force, frowning at the internal rivalry, opposition penetration and external intervention that are negatively affecting the operation of the Amotekun force.
The Amotekun, the Governor noted, is to be reorganized to make it a truly efficient force to complement the efforts and operation of the police and other security agencies.
He assured the public that his administration has taken preemptive steps to secure schools and farming communities, describing Osun as a peaceful state which will not succumb to attempts to destabilize the peace and harmony among our people.
“I have summoned a meeting of the State Security Council to firm up all plans. I assure our people that I am on top of the situation. We are committed to securing our school, our farm, our society.
“No stone will be left unturned to disrupt plans of enemies of progress to plunge the state into crisis. I urge members of the public to inform security agencies of any unusual movement or activities across the State.”
