THE Executive Secretary, Oyo State Security Trust Fund, Mr Femi Oyedipe, has charged residents of the state to as a matter of contributing to their safety and security, report every suspected and unusual activities to the security agencies, if the fight against crime and criminality must be won.

Oyedipe also urged community leaders, religious leaders and social groups to instantly alert the security agencies of any crime, rather than hoarding the information and waiting to post it on the social media thereafter.

He gave the charge during a Town Hall meeting with the community leaders in Oyo zone as parts of sensitisation effort to discuss the introduction and collection of the State Security Levy, commencing soon.
The zonal participants comprises all the towns within the Oyo Federal Constituency.

According to Oyedipe, the state government through the Oyo State Security Trust Fund is committed to making the state safer for its residents and more investor friendly in order to boost the economy.

In his words, “as a means of consolidating the efforts of the government on Security, Oyo State Security Trust Fund is working very hard with the security Agencies in the State. To increase security surveillance, Oyo State Security Trust Fund, in synergy with the Oyo State Government, has commenced the installation of CCTV in different areas of the State, with business and commercial districts being used as the pilot scheme.

“Mapo and its environs have also been listed to be part of the pilot scheme.
The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has released some funds to the contractors handling the installation of the CCTV in the State. These CCTVs will help in curbing crimes and criminal activities in our state”, he added.Responding to requests for constant electricity to expose criminal hideouts, the Executive Secretary said that plans are underway by the Trust Fund, to provide solar powered street lights in major dark areas, to checkmate the activities of men of the underworld, particularly at night.

He, however reiterated the need for community leaders and residents to expose criminals in the community with the assurance that their identity would not be disclosed, saying that “our security agencies are now more professional in their job and they need every assistance to succeed in being part of our safe city initiatives”.