Oyo govt reassures residents on security of lives, properties

The Oyo State Government has reassured residents that it will not relent in securing lives and properties within the state.

The government made this statement on Thursday through the Acting Governor of the state, Barr. Bayo Lawal, following an on-the-spot assessment visit to Gbepakan Village in Saki West Local Government Area (LGA), where some yet-to-be-identified assailants attacked and killed some residents.

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Barr. Lawal maintained that the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, has always demonstrated its commitment to securing lives, as evident in its significant investments in security.

The Acting Governor, who lamented the attack, which affected mostly the Fulani residents in the village, said the government will protect its various communities and ensure that no person is oppressed, irrespective of ethnicity or religion.

The unknown assailants had attacked Fulani and Yoruba residents of the village on Tuesday night.

The Acting Governor condemned the attack and called for peaceful coexistence between the Yoruba and Fulani residents in the area, adding that the government will provide materials to meet the immediate needs of the victims.

According to Barr. Lawal, the visit was to assess the situation, condole with victims’ families, and reassure the people of the area.

He added that the government would bring the perpetrators to justice and provide all necessary logistics to aid security agencies in their investigations into the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr. Ayodele Sonubi, had earlier visited the area to assess the situation.

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The Acting Governor said: “We are here to pay a visit to assess the aftermath of the ugly incident that happened about two days ago in which about 10 residents of this village were killed by yet-to-be-identified attackers.

“This visit is to condole with the people and give assurances that attacks of this nature cannot be condoned in our state, because we believe in one Nigeria and we believe that people are free to live in peace, settle in peace, and carry out their businesses in peace.

“There is no room for discrimination against any tribe or ethnicity in Oyo State. We are only against criminals, and we will not allow crime and criminality to take root in any part of the state. That is the message, and it is very clear.

“Only yesterday, the Commissioner of Police paid a visit to assess the situation here, and we have seen that some people actually invaded this hamlet and carried out this dastardly action. Investigations are ongoing, but the purpose of this visit is to give assurance to our people. We will get to the roots of the incident, and whoever is caught will face the wrath of the law.”

The Acting Governor further noted that the Makinde-led administration remains committed to securing lives and properties throughout the state.

He added: “As a government, we will ensure that all the logistics the security agencies need to carry out their investigations are provided because we are determined to always provide security for our people in any part of Oyo State.

“We will not relent, no matter how much it costs the government, to ensure that lives and properties are secured within our environments.”

On the entourage of the Acting Governor was a former Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investments, and Cooperatives, Hon. Niyi Adebisi; his counterpart in charge of Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni; Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, Compol Sunday Odukoya (Retired); Chairman of the Oyo State Pension Board, Hon. Rafiu Adekunle; and the Chairman of Saki West Local Government, Mr. Gbenga Akinola.