The Oyo State Police Command has launched intensive bush-combing operations across strategic locations in the state following the abduction of an Indian expatriate and a resurgence of violent criminal activities.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Alayande, disclosed this on Monday while speaking on a current affairs programme on an Ibadan-based radio station. He said the renewed security measures were part of a broader review of the command’s operational architecture to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas.
Alayande confirmed that the police had already begun deploying additional personnel to flashpoints, particularly in communities recently affected by armed attacks. He noted that the latest incident involved gunmen who killed a police officer and kidnapped an Indian expatriate at Ogunmakin community in Oluyole Local Government Area.
According to him, the command was deeply concerned about the pattern of attacks and had resolved to respond decisively. He described the killing of a police officer during the Ogunmakin attack as “pathetic” and assured residents that the perpetrators would be tracked down.
The police spokesperson recalled that the security situation had further deteriorated earlier this month when suspected bandits invaded the National Park Service base in Oloka community, Oriire Local Government Area, killing five officers. He said these incidents collectively necessitated an urgent reassessment of policing strategies in the state.
Alayande disclosed that the command was strengthening inter-state collaboration to secure major transport corridors and boundary communities, particularly the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
He said the Oyo command was working closely with the Ogun State Police Command and the Lagos State Police Command to improve intelligence sharing and joint patrols.
“Our men have been deployed to the affected areas and are already combing the bushes in search of the criminal elements. I am assuring the public that they will be smoked out from wherever they are hiding,” Alayande said.
He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing operations, assuring that the command remained committed to restoring public safety across the state.