By Editor
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun
Oyebanji, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the
state’s security architecture, saying his government will continue to provide
the logistics and resources required to protect lives and property across the
state.
Oyebanji stated this on Monday in
Ado-Ekiti while presenting 100 newly acquired operational vehicles to
security agencies in the state. The intervention, according to the governor, is
aimed at improving the mobility of security personnel, strengthening patrol
operations and enabling faster responses to security challenges.
The beneficiary agencies include
the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Nigeria
Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road
Safety Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Correctional
Service and the Amotekun Corps.
Speaking at the presentation
ceremony held at the Osuntokun Pavilion, Government House Grounds, Ado-Ekiti,
the governor said security had remained a major priority of his administration,
stressing that the provision of the vehicles represented another phase of
government’s sustained investment in the sector.
Oyebanji recalled that his
administration had previously supported security agencies with patrol vehicles,
Armoured Personnel Carriers, protective vests, helmets and other operational
equipment. He said the latest intervention was designed to further strengthen
the capacity of security personnel, particularly in patrol, surveillance and
field operations.
The governor also assured the security agencies of continued financial and logistical support, saying the provision of the vehicles was in addition to regular monthly assistance to security agencies and efforts to strengthen state-owned security institutions.
He charged the heads of the
agencies to make effective use of the vehicles and other resources provided by
the government, with particular emphasis on increased patrols, strategic
visibility and faster response to distress calls.
“To our security chiefs, I say to
whom much is given, much is expected. With the introduction of these vehicles,
I expect to see increased action, strategic visibility, faster response and
greater operational agility on the part of our men and women,” the governor
said.
Oyebanji further urged the
security chiefs to ensure proper deployment and maintenance of the vehicles,
while encouraging security and intelligence agencies to work collaboratively
and make effective use of available surveillance capabilities. Tribune also
reported that the governor said discussions had commenced with CIG Motors on
establishing a garage in Ekiti for regular maintenance of the vehicles.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to
the Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd.),
said the administration had demonstrated its commitment to the protection of
lives and property through sustained investment in the security sector. He said
the peaceful atmosphere in the state had contributed to development and had
enabled security agencies to operate more effectively.
Ogundana added that the new
vehicles would improve the mobility and responsiveness of security personnel
and enable them to respond more promptly to emerging security challenges across
the state.
Representatives of the
Commissioner of Police, DCP Mohammed Musa, and the Commanding Officer, 148
Battalion, Ikere, Lt. Col. Dimka, expressed appreciation to the governor for
his continued support. They assured the government that the vehicles would be deployed
appropriately to enhance operational effectiveness and response capabilities.
The event was attended by the
Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Speaker of the Ekiti State House
of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; Secretary to the State Government,
Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi; Chief of
Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo; and other senior government officials and security
chiefs. The state government had earlier described the vehicle procurement as
part of its continuing investment in the safety and wellbeing of residents.
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