Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has stated that the Governors of the six South-West States have broadly agreed to redesign the security architecture of the states in the zone to protect the people and enhance quality of life.
The Governor, who stated this in an interview, said that necessary steps had to be taken to bring an end to incessant kidnapping and killings in the zone.
A statement by Governor Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Governor as making the clarifications on the sidelines of the South-West Governors’ Forum meeting in Akure, Ondo State, on Monday.
The Governors had earlier on the same day attended the funeral service for Mrs. Olufunke Olakunri, the daughter of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who was murdered by unknown gunmen along Ore-Sagamu road.
According to the statement, Governor Makinde confirmed that South-West Governors have agreed to redouble their efforts at improving the security apparatus of the region through effective collaboration with relevant security operatives.
The Governor said: “We are changing the security architecture for the South-West with the cooperation of all the South-West Governors and other relevant security agencies.”
According to Governor Makinde, it is high time the South-West Governors mapped out strategies to strengthen the security of the region and most especially the security of their respective states for the advancement of the country.
He said that with the outcome of the security meeting held in Akure, the Ondo state capital, which he said showed the commitment of the South-West Governors to make security a paramount issue, the zone would soon be back to its normal shape.
Governor Makinde also said that his administration has placed a priority on the safety of lives and property, hence the need for the periodic meetings with security chiefs in Oyo State.
Earlier at the Akure residence of the leader of Afenifere, Pa Fasoranti, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who spoke on behalf of the South-West Governors said that the Governors were not happy with the security situation of the region.
He called for synergy between government and other relevant security stakeholders, adding that the death of Mrs Olakunri would ginger the Chief Executives in the South-West to strengthen the security architecture of their respective states.
He, therefore, prayed to God to give the family of the deceased the fortitude to be the irreparable loss.
Governors who graced the event include the Governors of Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos as well as the Deputy Governor of Osun State and other top Yoruba leaders.
