In accordance with Nigeria’s constitution, Oyo State Government has saddled Local Government Chairmen with responsibility for security situations in their domains.
This was disclosed to newsmen after a stakeholders’ meeting held with 33 local government chairmen at the conference room of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, while briefing newsmen said the purpose of the meeting was to strategise on methods to combat illegal miners, land grabbers and banditry in the state.
Mr Olayiwola noted that a Joint Task Force, has been established at each local government to bridge the existing gap in local policing and intelligence gathering against those that are perpetrating criminalities in the state.
The Commissioner stressed that a mandatory joint security meeting would henceforth be holding every last Thursday of the month in every local government areas, adding that each council must send their report to the headquarters for further actions.
In his remarks, Director-General of Solid Minerals Development Agency of Oyo State, Abiodun Oni harped on the need for local governments chairmen to form a synergy with traditional institutions in their various councils by bringing everybody on board to have a sense of belonging.
While urging all stakeholders to take up the responsibility of security in their local government, Oni sounded a note of warning that any traditional ruler found issuing consent letters to illegal miners without the approval from the state government will face the wrath of the law.
Responding, ALGON Chairman, Sikiru Sanda assured that leadership of local government areas will do the needful in order to make the state more secured for dwellers and attractive to investors.