Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security and peaceful coexistence, assuring a peaceful resolution to the ongoing border dispute between Iwo in Osun State and Lagelu Local Government Area in Oyo State.
Governor Makinde gave this assurance on Tuesday while receiving the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 11, AIG Fred Ikokotu, at the Governor’s Office in Agodi State Secretariat, Ibadan.
During the meeting, while welcoming the AIG to the Zone, Makinde equally lauded the Oyo State Police Command, led by CP Johnson Adenola, for maintaining relative peace and tranquility across the state.
He described the police as the lead internal security agency and praised his security team for being proactive and effective.
In a continued show of support for law enforcement, the governor presented three additional operational vehicles to the Police Command; two Hilux vans and a fully equipped vehicle fitted with modern communication gadgets.
WesternMirror.com.ng reports that the donation is part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen security infrastructure and operational capacity.
Addressing the border dispute, Governor Makinde emphasized the historical and cultural ties between Oyo and Osun States, stating that such bonds should not be weakened by land disputes.
Recall that the deputy governors of both Oyo and Osun states accompanied by top officials and traditional leaders of both states last week jointly reaffirmed their commitment to peace and unity before after making an on the spot visit to the disputed border areas and communities between Iwo and Lagelu.
Speaking further, Makinde stressed that the political elites remain central to uniting the nation noting however, that the challenge of disunity does not lie with the people but the leaders.
“Our problem of uniting this country is not with the common people, it is with us the elites. We’re the ones that will create that division so that we can have upper hand in order to attain power or influence, or money so, we have to keep pushing out that message.because this is our reality.
The governor also stressed the importance of collaboration among both state governments, security agencies, and local stakeholders in resolving the matter peacefully.
Earlier in his address, AIG Ikokotu expressed appreciation for the governor’s unrelenting support to the police, noting that the new vehicles would enhance mobility and operations within Zone 11, which covers Oyo and Osun States.
He described Oyo state as a peaceful and homely place where both indigenes and non indigenes coexist peacefully and harmoniously, and stressed the need to uphold such historic disposition to society building.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, AIG Ikokotu stated that strategic and non-kinetic measures were being deployed to address the border issue.
He said dialogue and stakeholder engagement were central to the peace efforts, especially given the shared history of the two states. He added that discussions with both state governments and community leaders have been ongoing and that another meeting is scheduled before the end of May.
The event was attended by top government officials, including the Secretary to the state Government; Professor Olanike Adeyemo, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice; Abiodun Aikomo, and Executive Adviser on Special Duties; Chief Bayo Lawal.
Others are Oyo CP; Johnson Adenola; the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd.); Oyo State Commandant of Amotekun Corps, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (Rtd.); and other senior police officers from the zone and state command.