Oyo assembly seeks joint task force to tackle insecurity

The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, advocated the establishment of a Special Joint Security Taskforce to combat rising insecurity wave in Oke-Ogun axis and other vulnerable parts of the state. The Taskforce as advocated by the lawmakers, should be comprising of specially trained personnel from both mainstream and non mainstream security agencies alongside local vigilantes with vast knowledge of deep forest terrains. The resolution was reached after the House considered a Matter of Urgent Public Importance jointly sponsored by the Minority Leader and member representing Irepo/Olorunsogo State Constituency, Waliu Salami, and the member representing Oorelope State Constituency, Luqman Jimoh during the plenary. The lawmakers also recalled the June 12 attack on the Kishi-Igbeti Road, during which armed bandits reportedly ambushed travellers, killing Moshood Kayode, a staff member of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, while several others sustained injuries and were hospitalised. The House noted that, “Within three plenary sittings held between June 3 and June 9, several security-related motions were debated, describing the trend as a reflection of growing concerns over safety across the state. “Less than 24 hours later, another attack occurred along the Igboho-Igbeti Road, leaving several victims injured and heightening fears among residents, farmers, traders, commuters and potential investors in the area.” The PUNCH reports that scores of teachers and students were abducted during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on Friday, May 15, 2026. However, the lawmakers, on Wednesday, in their separate submissions expressed concern over the rising security situation in parts of Oke-Ogun, particularly along the Kishi-Igbeti and Igboho-Igbeti roads, where suspected bandits recently launched deadly attacks on commuters. They also drew attention to the increasing activities of criminal elements operating within forest corridors surrounding the Old Oyo National Park, an area that has witnessed repeated cases of kidnapping, killings and other violent crimes. While commending the efforts of security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local vigilantes and hunters, the House maintained that more proactive and coordinated measures were required to curb the escalating threats. The lawmakers also praised Governor Seyi Makinde for his conti