For the records: Being the communiqué issued at the end of the inaugural joint meeting of Ogun and Oyo states held at the Presidential lodge, GRA, Ibara, Abeokuta on Wednesday, 2nd February, 2022
PREAMBLE
The inaugural meeting of Ogun and Oyo States on security issues was held at the Presidential Lodge, GRA, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, on Wednesday, 2nd February, 2022. Ogun State delegation was led by His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, MFR, whilst His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, FNSE, led the Oyo State team.
The meeting convened at the instance of the two Governors discussed a number of security related issues and noted with concern the growing cases in recent times of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, farmers-herders clashes, banditry, ritual killings, financial crimes (popularly called yahoo yahoo), among other criminal activities, particularly around the border communities of the two States.
Whilst noting and commending existing measures put in place by the two Governors to eradicate or at least minimize crimes and ensure peace and safety of lives and property in their respective States, the meeting, however, noted that the shared objective of ensuring peace and security is being undermined by the criminal activities in the communities along their common boundaries.
RESOLUTIONS
After extensive deliberations, which included a review of the security architecture and initiatives in the two States, the meeting resolved as follows:
*To set up a High-Level Joint Security Committee to focus on and proactively address security matters along the boundary communities and interstate roads. The Committee will meet at regular intervals to provide oversight, review progress and take necessary actions.
*To set up a Joint Border Security Task Force with membership drawn from various security agencies in the two States, to patrol the border communities to ensure security of lives and property for the residents and commuters. Members of the Task Force will be trained and orientated on the rule of engagement to prevent unwholesome practices
*To jointly collaborate on emergency / distress calls, especially on the highways that connect the two States
*To share experiences and intelligence on security matters to assist overall safety and security of lives and property in the two States and the Nation at large
*To effectively engage, cooperate and collaborate with all the Stakeholders, including but not limited to the Federal Government, State, and non-State actors (traditional institutions, religious groups, community development associations, etc.) whose input and support are required for improved security in the two States and around the border communities.
*The meeting agreed to implement the following initiatives in the short term: Threats assessment and analysis along the border corridors. Deployment of CCTV on the interstate highways. Setting up of outposts along the border communities for the use of the Joint Border Security Task Force. Harmonisation and mainstreaming of voluntary police and informal security outfits
Timeous and diligent prosecution of criminals to signify the resolve of the Governments of both states to clamp down on criminality. In this wise, the Attorneys-General of the two States should ensure synergy between law enforcement agencies and their prosecution departments or directorates during the investigative and prosecution phases of cases.
*The meeting commended the two Governors for this historic initiative and commitment. In particular, the meeting appreciated His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, MFR, for the successful hosting of the meeting, despite the short notice, and Governor Seyi Makinde, FNSE, for enthusiastically coming over to Abeokuta for the meeting.
CONCLUSION
The meeting emphasized that security is very critical to the achievement of the much-desired socio-economic development. Therefore, the two Governors reaffirmed their commitment to the attainment of the objectives of the Joint Security initiatives. The meeting set up an Implementation Team to work out the modalities and programme of activities.
The meeting adjourned to convene at a date to be decided.
Signed:
H.E. Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFRH. . Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE
Governor, Ogun State Governor, Oyo State
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