Aregbesola’s Security Initiatives Have Lifted The Spirit Of The Police, Says Inspector General

The government of Osun on Thursday fulfilled its promise to further equip the state police command with additional 20 sophisticated Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

This was just as Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, expressed pains at what he called the Federal Government’s penchant for playing politics with crucial security matters.

Aregbesola, before the leadership of the Police led by a Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to separate politics from the issue of security by granting the state a short code for its emergency centre.

The governor read the riot act to criminals and agent of violence to steer clear of the state or face full wrath of law as governorship election approaches.

Aregbesola said these during the launch and hand over of 20 sophisticated Amoured Personnel Carriers at the cost of N1.3 billion Naira to the Osun Police command in Osogbo.

The governor held that when government fails to guarantee safety of lives and property, such government has no business to be in power.

Aregbesola stated that security, safety and the welfare of the people are the primary responsibilities of any government as enshrined in the Nation’s constitution.

He affirmed that since his first day in Office he warned his party members and the people that there will be no room for infraction of law and that people should refrain from using their previous experience to persecute their political opponents.

According to him, “security is the most essential responsibility of a responsible government. When a government fails to provide security, it has no business in power.

“Politics should not be mingled with security, because security does not know, religion, party affiliation or ethnicity.

“The Federal government just refused to give us short code to make our emergency centre work. It has been ready for the past 13 to 18 months ago. If that centre had been activated, our helicopter will get to the farthest place of this state in 15 minutes to attend to emergency issues.

“It won’t cost the Federal Government a dime but to just direct the NCC to allow us to use their 122 line. I wrote to the President, he did not even acknowledge the letter let alone giving us approval”. The governor stressed.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, David Omojola who represented the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar saluted the courage of the governor in fighting crime in the state.

He pointed out that the IGP has directed that the equipment should be moved to the state Police headquarters for immediate use in fighting crime and criminal activities.

“We are very grateful for your effort at lifting our spirit by providing the Armoured Personnel Carrier, this is the first in the History of the country when a government will be providing such numbers of equipment for the police in one fell swoop.

“The presentation of the APC is the climax of your practical demonstration and support for security in the state, and our effort to fight crime has received a huge boost.

“Criminals no longer have a hiding place in Osun as we make everywhere secured”. The Inspector General of Police pointed out.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, Ibrahim Maishanu described the gesture from the governor as the first in the history of the state.

He assured the governor and citizen that the equipment will be properly put to use and Osun will be one of the most peaceful state in the country.