Communities in Igbeti and Igboho, located in the Olorunsogo and Orelope Local Government Areas of Oyo State, have raised a serious alarm, saying that the Old Oyo National Park has become a dangerous haven for bandits and kidnappers.
The urgent cry for intervention was made during a visit by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Adenola and other senior officers to Igbeti, Kishi, and Saki communities on Friday.
The security concerns were highlighted by Mr. Adetoro Adegbola, Vice Chairman of Olorunsogo LGA, who represented the Chairman, Mr. Qoseem Olayanju.
He explained that residents are facing significant security challenges directly attributable to the park’s proximity. He noted that while Igbeti had previously enjoyed relative peace, it is now grappling with insecurity due to the criminals operating from within the park.
While acknowledging the efforts of the police and other security agencies, Adegbola called for a more robust response, especially through deployment of drones and other sophisticated equipment to the park to effectively flush out the criminals.
Also speaking, the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye, pledged his community’s full support to law enforcement. He emphasized his commitment to proactive security measures and requested the deployment of more security personnel to the area.
The traditional ruler of Igboho, Oba Joel Olalere, who was represented by High Chief Ebe Lawrence, echoed similar concerns, stating that the Old Oyo National Park poses a significant danger to the community.
Lawrence highlighted that many bandits and kidnappers exploit the forest reserves to carry out their illicit activities. He commended the existing synergy between the police and other security agencies in the Olorunsogo and Orelope LGAs but reiterated the crucial need for drones to dislodge the bandits and restore peace.
Meanwhile, Umar Usman, Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Igbeti, expressed his sadness over the actions of some criminals among Fulani herdsmen who he said are tarnishing the reputation of the entire community.
He commended the Commissioner of Police for his visit and stressed that not all Fulani herdsmen are criminals, pointing out the long-standing peaceful coexistence between indigenes and Fulanis in the communities. Usman urged the police to swiftly arrest and prosecute any Fulani herdsmen found involved in criminal activities.
Commissioner of Police Johnson Adenola affirmed that the purpose of his visit was to engage with the communities, understand their security challenges, and solicit their cooperation in combating insecurity.
He assured residents that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are committed to tackling these challenges and ensuring peace across the state.
“We are aware that banditry and kidnapping issues are noticeable security challenges in Igbeti, Igboho, and other communities in Olorunsogo and Orelope LGAs due to the presence of the Old Oyo National Park,” Adenola stated.
He also disclosed that a recent joint operation by the police and military in the area resulted in the neutralization of two bandits and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles.
While confirming the Oyo State government’s and security agencies’ commitment to ensuring peace in the affected areas and planning more operations to flush out bandits, the Commissioner declined to provide specific details due to security reasons. He reiterated the police’s unwavering resolve to make the state unconducive for criminals.
The Commissioner of Police and his entourage also visited the Palace of Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyedepo, to seek his support in addressing security challenges.
Oba Oyedepo commended the security agencies for their efforts but urged them to intensify their operations. He highlighted that the activities of kidnappers and bandits are deterring farmers from accessing their farmlands, a significant concern given that Saki is a large community primarily populated by farmers. The Oba also noted the inadequacy of police personnel in the town.
Commissioner Adenola acknowledged that the Oke-Ogun region of the state is experiencing various security challenges, including farmer-herder clashes. He assured the traditional ruler that strategies are being developed to address issues of inadequate manpower and funding.
