THE Oyo State government has begun measures to improve security in the state, just as the Jigawa State Police Commissioner, Kayode Theophilus, has cautioned commercial banks against armed robbers and terrorists.The Jigawa Police Commissioner, who spoke with bankers in the state, directed all the banks to increase the lighting system on their premises, adding that when they are illuminated, it would be difficult for criminals to operate.He gave all the bank managers one week within, which they should comply, threatening that he would go round to ensure every bank complied with the directive.The commissioner also indicated that the command would embark on a workshop for the private guards in the employ of the banks so that they could work in synergy with the police.He counselled bank managers to take care of the private guards through good remuneration, as they could be willing tools in the hands of criminals by acting as informants.The latest steps the Oyo State government has taken for better security include the acquisition of 66 new patrol vans for the state security outfit codenamed: Operation Burst.Governor Abiola Ajimobi disclosed this while fielding questions from people of the four local council areas that make up Oyo town during a town hall meeting at Durbar Stadium on Wednesday.The governor also hinted that arrangements had been concluded for the launch of the state Security Trust Fund on July 19, saying that it was aimed at creating a pool of funds that would be channeled towards enhancing the security of lives and property of the people of the state.He said the patrol vans, which had been equipped with modern communication gadgets, would be handed over to the security outfit during the launch of the fund.Ajimobi also disclosed that some of the 20,000 youths engaged by the state government under the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES-O) had been offered permanent employment, assuring that other cadets would also be employed permanently as vacancies exist.He admitted that the scheme was marred by some initial challenges, but that these had been surmounted and all the cadets had been deployed in various sectors.While stating that about 199 roads had been rehabilitated in the past one year, he said the Owode-Aafin Road in Oyo, currently undergoing reconstruction, would soon be dualised, while the contract for the reconstruction of Adesina-Adikuta-Idi Ape Road, also in the town, had been awarded.He reiterated his commitment to the creation of local council development areas (LCDAs) before the end of his administration, adding that arrangements had been concluded to build modern markets in all major towns in the state, including Oyo.The governor had earlier been received by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, in his palace where he commissioned the 15 cars bought by the monarch for the Oyomesis (Alaafin-in-Council).He commended Oba Adeyemi's gesture, saying it was a further confirmation of his (Alaafin's) generosity, large-heartedness and love for his people.The Alaafin had, earlier in his remarks, commended the Ajimobi administration for the achievements it had recorded so far and for according the traditional institution respect.He also informed the governor of the menace of Fulani herdsmen in rural communities, a development which he said, had resulted in the death of some farmers while several others had fled their farms.
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