Ogun, Oyo and Lagos Launch Joint Task Force to Tackle Insecurity

In a bid to combat rising insecurity along major highways and urban centers in the southwest, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states yesterday launched a joint security operation. The initiative aims to ensure the safety of commuters, residents, and businesses, with a particular focus on high-risk areas along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and its adjoining routes.

The operation, dubbed the Joint Show of Force, is a collaboration between the police forces of the three states and other security agencies. It commenced at the Lagos end of the expressway and concluded in Ojoo, Ibadan, showcasing a coordinated effort to boost security visibility and deter criminal activities.

Speaking to journalists at the Oyo State Police Command in Eleyele, Ibadan, after the operation, Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, CP Fatai Owoseni (retd), expressed strong support for the initiative. He described it as a reflection of the Southwest states' commitment to adopting proactive measures in addressing insecurity.

“This initiative is timely and essential. Criminal elements thrive when security is reactive rather than anticipatory. By combining intelligence, patrols, and interstate collaboration, we are sending a clear message that crime will not be tolerated,” Owoseni said.

He emphasized that the operation was not just about visibility but also about implementing preventive strategies to stop crimes before they happen. “This joint show of force demonstrates our collective resolve to take the fight to criminal networks and ensure citizens feel safe in their communities and on our highways,” Owoseni added.

CP Femi Haruna, the Commissioner of Police for Oyo State, also addressed the public, urging religious organizations to avoid holding services in isolated locations to mitigate the risk of attacks. Additionally, Haruna warned against the unauthorized use of fireworks, as they could distract security personnel during critical operations.

“Our commitment remains to safeguard lives and property across the state. The police command will continue to operate with diligence and professionalism,” he assured.

Representing the General Officer Commanding, 2nd Mechanised Division, Odogbo Cantonment, Major Adamu Ismaila praised the joint operation, calling it a historic initiative for the southwest. “This exercise is the first of its kind in the southwest, demonstrating that effective security requires collaboration between all agencies,” Ismaila said.

No Terror Group in Iwo—Oluwo of Iwo Responds to Rumors

In a related development, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, has dismissed rumors about the presence of a terrorist group in Iwo. This comes in response to recent social media reports suggesting the existence of an Islamic terror group in the town.

The rumors gained traction after a group based in Iwo was seen on social media reciting Arabic texts in support of Palestine. However, the Oluwo swiftly refuted these claims, calling them false and part of a coordinated effort to tarnish the peaceful reputation of Iwo.

“The media report about a terrorist group in Iwo is completely false. Iwo is one of the most peaceful towns in southwestern Nigeria, thanks to the efforts of the Jaysu Security Network, an affiliate of Jama’atu Ta’awunil Muslimeen,” the Oluwo stated.

He further clarified that the Jaysu Security Network, led by Sheikh Dahood Imran Molaasan, is a respected organization involved in community security and educational philanthropy. “The group has been instrumental in promoting peace and security in Iwo for over 20 years. They are trusted partners of the Nigerian Police Force in tackling criminal activity,” he added.

The Oluwo also addressed concerns over Iwo’s security, stressing that no terrorist group could operate in the town. “Iwo is completely free of any movement restrictions, and the Jaysu Security Network ensures that the town remains safe. No terrorist will be allowed to enter Iwo,” he concluded.

The monarch’s statement aims to put to rest the rumors circulating about the security situation in Iwo, reaffirming the town's reputation as one of the safest in the region.