Governor Adeleke said the state government was working closely with security agencies to ensure the rescue of victims and prevent a recurrence, particularly in border communities.
The Osun State Government has confirmed a banditry attack on Ora Igbomina, a border community in the state, disclosing that a military-backed rescue and protection operation has been underway for the past three days.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, in a press statement issued on Thursday following an emergency State Security Council meeting in Osogbo and signed by his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, commiserated with residents of Ora Igbomina over the incident, describing it as a serious security breach.
According to the statement, the governor assured "that a military backed rescue and protection security operation has been underway for the past three days."
"Speaking after an emergency security council meeting held on Wednesday evening, the Governor described the Ora incident as saddening and a major security breach even after almost all the water tight pre-emptive precautions already put in place in the last three months," the statement said.
Governor Adeleke said the state government was working closely with security agencies to ensure the rescue of victims and prevent a recurrence, particularly in border communities.
"Reviewing the development with service commanders from the police, the army, the secret service and other paramilitary agencies, Governor Adeleke expressed confidence that the ongoing military backed security operations across the border towns would prevent recurrence of the attacks and also secure the release of the kidnapped retired custom officer,” it said.
Providing further details on the ongoing operation, the governor stressed that security agencies were proceeding cautiously to avoid jeopardising rescue efforts.
“From the moment of the unfortunate incident, our security forces have launched a rescue and protection operations. For the past three days, both the police, the army and the DSS have been combing the areas for rescue and also reviewing the security apparatus. A delicate operation is ongoing and we dont want to jeopardise the integrity of the process,” it said.
He also announced plans to strengthen security logistics across the state, including the deployment of refurbished armoured tanks and additional patrol vehicles.
The statement said, "As part of our security plan, we will soon deploy the refurbished armoured tanks for operations across the state. We are also procuring patrol vehicles to strengthen police and security operations in the state. Additionally, we are reviewing the joint security patrol programme. It will be unveiled at the right time to further protect our people.”
In response to concerns over possible spillover of attacks from neighbouring Kwara State, Governor Adeleke issued new operational guidelines for the Osun Amotekun Corps, mandating closer coordination with the Nigeria Police.
The statement said, "The governor directed that an operational meeting be held between the police authorities and the Amotekun service to ensure proper coordination in future operations, warning that working in silos will no longer be tolerated.
"According to the governor, Amotekun services should always involve the police in its operations to ensure synergy and service support, expressing happiness that the Amotekun will soon get back to the field under the new arrangement."
The governor also reflected on past challenges involving the security outfit, noting that lessons had been learnt as the state confronts emerging threats.
"The governor who lamented the unfortunate Akinlalu incident said the Amotekun service has learnt lessons even as the law takes its course, affirming that the Amotekun service is needed more than ever in view of new security challenges facing the state,” he said.
He subsequently announced the resumption of full Amotekun operations under the newly issued guidelines, citing the urgency of the security situation in border areas.
Governor Adeleke further urged residents to limit night-time activities, especially during the festive season, as part of collective efforts to enhance safety.
“I must however plead with members of the public to reduce late night activities. In addition to the bandtry challenge, we are in the yuletide period when our people need to be security conscious. Criminals are targeting late night gatherings. We need to stick to daytime time event to further protect ourselves,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property, the governor expressed sympathy with victims of the attacks.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that gunmen on Monday night attacked a community in Ora-Igbomina, Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, allegedly kidnapping a former customs officer and killing one person.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Inurin of Ora-Igbomina, High Chief Sunday Fadipe, said the gunmen stormed the town at about 7:00 p.m. and headed straight to the residence of the former customs officer.
Mr Fadipe said the victim was returning home when the gunmen, who had laid an ambush at his house, abducted him.
According to him, the assailants, while escaping through farmlands in the Akisa area, encountered a man working on his farm with a headlamp and allegedly shot him dead.
He said it was the deceased’s 10-year-old son, who was with him at the time of the incident, that ran into the town to report the killing.