The Oyo State government has committed to tackling the spread of illegal arms, light weapons, and unlawful migration within the state.
Officials have announced plans to reward security personnel and citizens who assist in identifying and apprehending smugglers of illegal arms and ammunition, as well as those involved in human and child trafficking across border areas.
Segun Adegoke, Special Adviser on Homeland Security to the Oyo State governor and a retired Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, articulated the government’s initiatives during a sensitization tour of the state’s border communities, accompanied by a team of security officers from the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police, Immigration, Customs, and NSCDC.
Adegoke explained that Governor Seyi Makinde authorized the visit to raise awareness among residents about the measures being implemented to curb the influx of small arms and ammunition in the region.
This initiative followed intelligence reports regarding the interception of trucks carrying arms, ammunition, and illegal immigrants in the state, along with allegations of complicity among local residents and the smugglers.
The delegation visited several communities, including Iwere-Ile in Iwajowa, Saki West, Iseyin, and Ibarapa North local government areas. During these visits, Adegoke and the security team engaged with local government chairpersons, traditional leaders, and border patrol security officers.
In interactive forums with community members, Adegoke emphasized that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons had left Nigeria vulnerable to insecurity, conflict, destruction, and communal strife, resulting in loss of lives and homelessness.
“The aim of our visit is to educate residents and key security stakeholders in border towns about the risks associated with the possession of illegal arms, light weapons, and the migration of irregular foreigners, which directly threaten the safety of lives and property in the state,” he stated.
Adegoke described the proliferation of small arms as a form of organized crime and a significant global security challenge that exacerbates civil wars, insurgencies, organized violence, human trafficking, drug offenses, armed robbery, and kidnapping, endangering both security and sustainable development.
He pointed out that the influx of illegal immigrants poses a serious threat to the collective security and socio-economic development of the region. “We cannot ignore these pressing issues; it is our shared responsibility to take action. As leaders, we must unite to address these challenges and ensure the safety and well-being of our people,” he urged.
Identifying inadequate border control, weak law enforcement, and the vastness of the border areas as contributing factors to the rise of illegal arms, Adegoke called for enhanced cooperation among security agencies to strengthen border security and improve surveillance against illegal imports.
He encouraged youths to play an essential role in safeguarding their communities by reporting suspicious activities to authorities, and urged traditional leaders to use their influence to discourage the possession and use of illegal weapons.
Adegoke also addressed border patrol security agencies, urging them to perform their duties with professionalism, while assuring that outstanding officers who successfully apprehend violators will be duly recognized and rewarded.
He concluded by stressing the importance of fostering a culture of peace and unity within communities, which would help diminish the demand for illegal arms and manage the influx of illegal weapons and migrants.
Local government chairpersons and traditional leaders expressed their commitment to reinforcing efforts to secure border towns against illegal arms and immigration in their respective areas.
