Local council leaders in Osun provide 60 security vehicles to combat rising crime

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, comprising chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, presented 60 patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state on Saturday, in a bid to bolster security efforts.

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This donation was made at the Osun State Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Osogbo, with the association’s chairman, Samuel Idowu, leading the presentation ceremony.

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Idowu recalled that the association had previously donated 30 patrol vehicles to conventional security agencies in the state, underscoring the group's commitment to the safety and well-being of the people.

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According to Idowu, the latest donation is part of the association's efforts to strengthen security and maintain law and order in the state, with the chairman noting that "a promise made, a promise kept" is the guiding principle behind the initiative.

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Idowu emphasized that security is the foundation of any meaningful development, stating that without peace and stability, no society can thrive and no government can achieve its goals.

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The association's ability to pool resources and execute the initiative was made possible by the autonomy granted to local governments following a landmark Supreme Court judgment, Idowu explained.

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With this autonomy, local councils can act swiftly and design solutions tailored to their specific needs, taking responsibility for the security and welfare of their communities, according to Idowu.

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The donation of 60 patrol vehicles brings the total number of vehicles donated by the association to 90, with Idowu urging the benefiting security agencies to use the vehicles judiciously and maintain them properly.

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Ibrahim Gotan, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, responded on behalf of the benefiting security agencies, which include the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

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Gotan commended Osun ALGON for the intervention, noting that security remains a shared responsibility and that the association's investment demonstrates confidence in the ability of security agencies to deliver effective service to the people.

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The Commissioner of Police added that the operational vehicles will significantly improve mobility, response time, patrol coverage, intelligence-led operations, and inter-agency collaboration in combating crime and maintaining public order.

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The security agencies assured the public that the donated vehicles will be deployed judiciously, maintained properly, and utilized strictly for security purposes, with the goal of safeguarding lives and property and ensuring peace across Osun State.

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In a related development, the state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria had earlier donated 300 motorcycles to different conventional and non-conventional security organisations in Osun State to enhance their operations.

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Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan received the donation on behalf of the benefiting organisations and commended President Bola Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local government areas, which enabled the donation.

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Gotan noted that the donation will enhance the operations of the security agencies in the state and emphasized the need for collaboration and support from all stakeholders to address the security challenges facing the country.