The federal government is to deploy military personnel to the streets of major towns in Oyo State from next month in an effort to stem the rising cases of armed robbery in the state, the state government has said. The government also said that the military will function with other security operatives in joint patrols.
Governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, in his New Year promise to the people of the state, said that he had secured the approval of President Umaru Yar’Adua for the joint military and police patrol to rescue the state from the ‘free’ rein of armed robbers.
The governor, through his Special Adviser on Public Communications, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the exercise would commence next month.
“After the bank raid at Idi-Ape in Ibadan last month, the governor had promised to design a more effective strategy to stem the influx of miscreants into Oyo State.
“Governor Alao-Akala has purchased 66 vehicles and other equipment for the Oyo State Police Command in the past two years and expressed the determination of his government to do even more to supplement federal government’s efforts in the provision of equipment for the Nigeria Police.
“The governor appreciates the courage of the State Police Command and said that their sacrifice will not be in vain,” he said.
About 10 policemen and 15 civilians had been killed in various armed robbery operations in the state in the last two months, which peaked with the robbery of two commercial banks in Idi-Ape area of the state capital early in the month where four policemen were confirmed killed by the police high command.
Dec282008