Insecurity: Reps ask Police to construct Divisional HQs in Oyo town

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives, Wednesday urged the Nigeria Police Force to construct a Divisional Police Headquarters at Ayete town in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo state.

The lawmakers also mandated House Committee on Police Affairs to include construction of a Divisional Police Headquarters in the 2023 budget estimates.

The resolutions of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Muraina Ajibola at the plenary, Wednesday.

Moving the motion, Ajibola said that the House is aware that in the last ten years, Ibarapa North Local Government Area, of Oyo State  including Ayete town had experienced several violent attacks allegedly perpetrated by bandits and other criminals, resulting in the loss of lives and properties worth billions of Naira.

He said that the House is also a aware that Ibarapa North Local Government Area has witnessed skirmishes between men of the Nigeria Customs Service and suspected smugglers due to its proximity to the Republic of Benin.

He expressed concerns that after peace is restored, the police and other security agents deployed to the area return to their place of primary deployment, thus leaving the affected communities vulnerable to fresh attacks.

He also expressed concerns that despite the willingness of the affected communities to support the Nigeria Police Force to commence full operations in the area, the Nigeria Police Force is seemingly reluctant to yield.

He opined that in order to put a permanent stop to the incessant attacks and other security concerns in the area Nigerian Police Force needs to construct a Divisional Police headquarters at Ayete to create a conducive working environment for its personnel.

When the motion was put into voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Idris Ahmed Wase who presided over the plenary, it was unanimously supported.