The Executive Chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, has officially commissioned the reconstructed Maku Police Station, now upgraded to an Area Command Office, in the council area.
The project, which began 12 years ago under the initiative of the Itesiwaju Central Landlord Association, was driven by the urgent need to strengthen the security architecture of the area.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the project on Thursday, Hon. Sanda recalled a tragic event that reinforced the necessity of the police station which was the brutal killing of a 300-level student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) by cultists who trailed him to his home.
Hon. Sanda emphasized that security remains a top priority for the Governor Seyi Makinde and his administration, who has consistently urged local governments to take proactive measures in securing lives and property.
Sanda said Egbeda Local Government, under his leadership took the responsibility of completing the police station to ensure it meets the standard of an Area Command Office
He acknowledged the contributions of community leaders, including Baba Ajisefini, A.K. Value; who donated the land, Baba Olootu, the late Jide Kehinde, Elder Goke Ogunrinwale, Elder Koladelasun, the late Mr. Apapa, and members of various committees.
He also appreciated the 21 zonal chairmen and secretaries who played crucial roles in the project’s realization while revealing that the local government invested several million naira to reconstruct the police station to a befitting standard.
I’m his words, “With the new Area Command now operational, residents of Olootu, Ebenezeri, Amosun, Maku, and surrounding communities can expect enhanced security and swift law enforcement responses.
” The people can now sleep with their two eyes closed, as the station will work closely with divisional police stations in the area.”
The council chairman expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for his support, as well as the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and his team for their diligent monitoring of the project.
He equally urged community leaders to cooperate with the police by providing timely intelligence to help combat crime effectively.
Hon. Sanda also addressed the youth, advising them to remain law-abiding and support the vision of safer grassroots communities.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Moniya Area Commander, ACP Vaughan Omololu, went memory lane to provide brief history of the police station noting that the heightened crime rate in the area necessitated the project.
He however, solicited for the support and cooperation of residents of the area by way of providing credible and timely information that will assist the police act proactively in its fight against crime and criminality in the area.
“Permit me at this juncture to appreciate the commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP. Sonubi O. Ayodele Psc, in his own wisdom making your dream a reality by turning this Station to Area Command, definitely it will surely bring more developments to the community because where there is peace, there will be progress.
“Finally, kudos to the Local Government Chairman, Hon. SikiruOyedeleSanda, Community Leaders and lovers of peace for a good job you are doing in this community, God will continue to bless and protect you all.” ACP Omololu said.
The event was well attended by top local government officials, political functionaries, party faithful, religious and traditional leaders, and security operatives among others.