Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced that military-backed security operations are currently underway in Ora Igbomina and other border communities, following recent banditry attacks that left residents shaken and a retired Customs officer abducted.
The governor disclosed this after an emergency State Security Council meeting held on Wednesday evening, where top commanders of the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other paramilitary agencies reviewed the situation and ongoing response.
In a statement signed by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described the incident as deeply distressing, noting that it occurred despite several months of preventive security measures across the state.
The statement reads partly: “From the moment of the unfortunate incident, our security forces have launched a rescue and protection operations. For the past three days, both the police, the army and the DSS have been combing the areas for rescue and also reviewing the security apparatus. A delicate operation is ongoing and we don’t want to jeopardise the integrity of the process.
“As part of our security plan, we will soon deploy the refurbished armoured tanks for operations across the state. We are also procuring patrol vehicles to strengthen police and security operations in the state. Additionally, we are reviewing the joint security patrol programme. It will be unveiled at the right time to further protect our people.
“After the security council meeting, I am happy to announce that the Amotekun service will resume full operations under new guidelines I just issued. We are facing an emergency in our border towns and it is important to get the Amotekun back to the field as urgently as possible.
“I must however plead with members of the public to reduce late night activities. In addition to the banditry challenge, we are in the yuletide period when our people need to be security conscious. Criminals are targeting late night gatherings. We need to stick to daytime events to further protect ourselves.”
“Beyond the immediate security response, the governor issued new operational directives to the Amotekun Corps, mandating closer collaboration with the Nigeria Police to prevent lapses and overlapping actions.
He directed that joint operational meetings between the police and Amotekun leadership must now precede field deployments, warning that uncoordinated operations would no longer be tolerated.
Adeleke acknowledged recent internal challenges within Amotekun, including the controversial Akinlalu incident, but stressed that the outfit remains critical to Osun’s security architecture, especially with rising threats along border communities adjoining Kwara State.
The governor expressed confidence that the revised framework would strengthen intelligence sharing, improve rapid response, and restore public trust in the state’s security arrangements.
He also confirmed that Amotekun operatives would fully return to the field under the new guidelines, as the state confronts what he described as an evolving security emergency.
Governor Adeleke again commiserated with the people of Ora Igbomina, assuring residents that his administration remains resolute in preventing further attacks and securing the safe release of all abducted persons.
He urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies, remain vigilant, and avoid unnecessary night-time social activities, particularly during the festive season.
The Osun State Government, he said, would continue to deploy every available resource to safeguard lives and property across the state.