Governor of Ogun State, Mr. Dapo Abiodun has stated that random kidnapping and cultism were the biggest security challenges confronting the state.
The Gateway Governor made the categorical statement when he played host to the new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Johnson Kokumo, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He noted that many federal roads within the state would require huge manpower and equipment to monitor criminal activities on the roads.
“The biggest issues we have today in Ogun State are that of random kidnapping and cult activities. I believe that the cult activities have abated now because of the joint efforts of the Nigeria Police, the State Security Services and the Nigerian Army.
“However, we are still struggling and dealing with issues that relate to the kidnapping of contractors, farmers and innocent Ogun State residents.
“We sincerely hope that as we go along in our relationship, we will collaborate to ensure that we reduce this incident of kidnapping to absolute zero,” the governor said.
However, he said his administration has been proactive in the area of security by rejigging the State Security Trust Fund, which according to him, had helped in providing patrol vans, communication and other gadgets to enable security agencies to carry out their functions effectively.
He commended the AIG for his initiative to provide security at Kara and under the Long Bridge axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Speaking earlier, AIG Kokumo said Zone 2 comprising Ogun and Lagos states’ police commands was planning a joint operation to fight criminals, particularly at Kara and Under the Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
This, according to him, was to ensure that adequate security is provided for companies, industries and individuals operating along the axis.
The AIG noted that the zone was working on a synergy between the Marine Olive Units of Lagos and Ogun State command to provide security in the coastal areas.
