‘We’re ready for task,’ Ogbomoso security committee chairman, Rear Admiral Ajani declares, seeks support, unity

Image caption: Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani (rtd), chairman Harmonized Security Committee for Ogbomosoland, during his time in service

Femi OGUNLANA

The Harmonised Security Committee for Ogbomosoland has called on sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland to unite and support efforts aimed at addressing the security challenges confronting the area, particularly the recent abduction incident in Oriire local government area.

The committee, which operates under the auspices of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, made the appeal in a statement signed by its chairman, Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani (rtd.), the Aare Mayegun of Ogbomosoland.

Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani (rtd), chairman Harmonized Security Committee for Ogbomosoland and who is the Aare Mayegun of Ogbomosoland, during his installation ceremony

Rear Admiral Ajani who emerged chairman of the committee during a security summit convened by Olaoye Saturday noted its mandate is to work towards mitigating the security challenges arising from the recent insecurity in Oriire local government area and to develop strategies that would previ I ent future occurrences across the five local government areas that make up Ogbomosoland.

The committee explained that it harmonises the security committee of the Ogbomosoland Consultative Council (OCC) and the security committee of the monarch’s 25-year development vision.

It added that its membership comprises retired personnel drawn from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force and other statutory security agencies, including the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency.

The committee appealed to residents to support its activities through prayers, cooperation and material assistance, noting that security operations require significant resources and collective commitment.

It also urged members of the public to avoid spreading false information and unverified reports capable of creating fear and panic, while encouraging residents to provide credible and verifiable information that could aid intelligence gathering and security operations.

The committee disclosed that communication channels through which residents can submit useful information would soon be established, assuring members of the public of confidentiality and protection.

While reaffirming its commitment to working with relevant security agencies to secure the safe return of victims abducted in Oriire local government area, the committee expressed sympathy for affected families and pledged support within available resources.

The committee further appealed to local government authorities, traditional institutions, hotels, banks, homeowners and business operators to cooperate with ongoing efforts to improve security across Ogbomosoland.

It expressed optimism that with unity, cooperation and divine intervention, Ogbomosoland would become safer and more conducive for development.

The statement in full:

PRESS RELEASE

HARMONISED SECURITY COMMITTEE FOR OGBOMOSOLAND

(Under the Auspices of Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland)

The Harmonised Security Committee: Composition

The Harmonised Security Committee synchronizes the Security Committee of the Ogbomosoland Consultative Council (OCC) and the Security Committee of the 25-Year Development Vision of Kabiyesi, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland. The committee is currently made up of retired officers of mainly the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force and other statutory security agencies namely the Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Civil Defence, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, etc. It cuts across people who have put in decades of meritorious service to our fatherland, Nigeria. By the grace of God, we have the professional competence, knowledge and skills, as well as experience to deliver on this assignment. Notwithstanding, consideration is also ongoing to infuse others with relevant skills, commitment and pedigree to swell the ranks of the Committee.

Acknowledgement and Mandate

The Harmonised Security Committee for Ogbomosoland under the auspices of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, HIM Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, acknowledges with immense gratitude this onerous assignment given to us. Our assignment is to mitigate the situation arising from the recent insecurity and incident in Oriire Local Government Area and moving from there, we analyse the lessons learnt to come up with a design for stopping a reoccurrence in the entire Ogbomosoland, i.e. the five local government areas.

Appeal for Unity and All-Round Support

However, to make success of this mandate, we need God on our side, as well as the support of all Ogbomoso sons and daughters. That is why we are calling on all Ogbomoso sons and daughters that this situation we are in, as admonished by HIM Oba Olaoye Orumogege III, should rather unite us than divide us; this is not time to discuss religious or any other differences, rather we should be united to stem the tide of all negative incidents. We need the cooperation of all; prayerful support as well as material support. Security does not come cheap. And if we consider that our job is to be the bridge between our community and the statutory security agencies of government, there is need for the committed as well as material support of the people. Let me assure that when such material support is provided, our integrity and patriotic zeal for Ogbomoso will make us apply all allocated resources judiciously and transparently.

Communication Hubs Re-Emphasized

Kabiyesi in his earlier release talked of communication hubs with which people can reach out to us with credible and verifiable information, which when processed into intelligence can make our job fairly easy. These hubs will be created soonest. But we want to appeal ahead that people in an attempt to give information should as much as possible not promote misinformation or give such pieces of information that can further promote fear and panic. They should be vigilant and tell us when they see things untoward and bring them to our attention but in doing so they should please run away from misinformation especially in this era of fake news and social media posts which are not helpful. We promise to accord those that will give us information utmost confidentiality and ensure their safety.

Commitment to Safe Release of Victims of Oriire Abduction

Our committee is committed to working with the relevant agencies of government in their ongoing quest to achieve the safe return of all the captives in the Oriire LGA incident. Furthermore, we shall equally support their grieving families within the limits of available resources. The incident is most regrettable and we hope that such will never repeat itself in our community.

Appeal for Cooperation by Other Stakeholders

In the same vein, we are appealing to such stakeholders as local government authorities, members of the various traditional institutions, hotels, banks, homeowners and business concerns to cooperate with us in the discharge of our mandate. By the grace of God and with the support of everyone, we are confident that Ogbomoso will be safer than it has hitherto been, and the much-desired development which can only happen in an atmosphere of peace and security will be our lot.

Signed:

Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani (rtd.)

Aare Mayegun of Ogbomosoland

Chairman, Harmonised Security Committee for Ogbomosoland