Why There Has Been Surge In Insecurity In Owo LGA

*Security Summit Advocates Unorthodox, Traditional, Practical Means To Fight Crimes

AKINSINDE ADEOLA OYINDAMOLA 

A Security Summit organized by the Owo Local Government in Ondo State has identified reasons behind surge in insecurity in the town.

Convened by Owo Local Government under the leadership of Hon. Tope Omolayo, the Owo Security Summit held recently at the Achievers University, was a moment for the stakeholders to critically examine the root cause of insecurity in Owo and its environment and proffer lasting solutions for peaceful coexistence of the people in Owo kingdom.

A communique issued at the end of the Summit and signed by both the Chairman, Security Summit Planning Committee, Pastor Gbenga Olumolawa and the Committee’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olatunbosun Oladimeji, highlights reasons for the surge in insecurity, among which is the high level of employment in the country, the strategic location of Owo Local Government area as a gateway to two geopolitical zones, namely Kabba, North Central, and Benin City, South-South, Nigeria.

Others include “absence of punitive measures against perpetrators of kidnapping and violent crimes, debilitating inter-organisational rivalry among security agencies, tragic failure of critical agents of socialisation, such as family, school, religion, and culture, uncontrolled influx of unprofilled migrants, vast swathes of unpoliced forest and general ignorance and lackadaisical attitude of citizens.

However, after a thorough appraisal of the issues, the Summit resolved that: “A security task force, well-funded and strategically deployed, should be created to frontally deal with all forms of criminality in the local government area

“The government should creatively find a solution to the problem of unemployment in the society

“Traditional rulers should avoid indiscriminate land sales to undocumented and unprofilled migrants

“There should be enhanced collaboration between government and traditional rulers.

“There should be marked improvement in synergy among security agencies, as well as enhanced information sharing between them and the people.

“The government should prioritise the use of cutting-edge security technologies, such as drones, surveillance cameras, and other reconnaissance gadgets.

“The government should constructively collaborate with local security agencies, such as hunters and vigilantes, with a view to strengthening their operations.

“The government should put measures in place to curb social vices, such as cultism, thuggery, drug abuse, hooliganism, etc.”

While the Owo Security Summit concluded that there should be continuous engagement on the problem of insecurity as well as the utilisation of a multi-faceted approach in addressing the nightmarish problem in the local government area, it emphasized that the society, not only Owo community alone, but the whole Nigeria “should look inwards and adopt the use of unorthodox, traditional, and practical means to fight insecurity.”

The Summit was attended by an array of dignitaries, including the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami, mni, who were ably represented by the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Security, Chief Olubenga Atiba. The Chairman of Owo Local Government Area, Hon. Tope Omolayo. The Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ajibade Gbadegeshin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom.

Others were the traditional rulers in the local government area, among whom were His Royal Majesty, Oba Kofoworola Olatunbosun Oladoyinbo Ojomo Aruliwo III, the Ojomo Oluda of Ijebu-Owo. Oliyere of Iyere, His Royal Majesty, Oba Alaba Adako Ebiyanmi Iresin II. His Royal Majesty, Oba Engr. Oyinbade Ademola, Oloba of Uso. His Royal Majesty, Oba Ebenezer Adewumi Ogunmolasuyi II, Olupenmen of Upenmen.His Royal Majesty, Oba Kokuma Oluwabamise Olotupa Ogbomaga III, the Alale of Udashen. His Royal Majesty, Oba Moses Adegboyega Asolo, the Olose of Ose. His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Oluwasola Daramola Ujadiminegha Amuludero I, Olupele of Ipele (ably represented by his chiefs) and His Royal Majesty, Oba Joel Oluwafemi Adeluwoye, the Asuada of Isuada (ably represented by Chief Usokia).

Representatives of the military and paramilitary agencies were fully represented and delivered goodwill messages.