The Oyo State Government has announced proactive measures to address the proliferation of illegal arms, light weapons, and irregular migrants across its 33 local government areas.
Retired Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Segun Adegoke, who serves as the Special Adviser on Homeland Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, disclosed this during a sensitization tour of border towns.
The tour included key security agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, Immigration, Customs, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Adegoke explained, “The governor directed this initiative following reports of intercepted trucks carrying arms, ammunition, and illegal immigrants. It is essential to inform residents of border communities about the government’s actions to safeguard their lives and property.”
The sensitization tour covered communities in Iwere-Ile (Iwajowa LGA), Saki West, Iseyin, and Ibarapa North LGAs. During interactive sessions, Adegoke emphasized the dangers of illegal arms and migration, stating, “The proliferation of small arms and light weapons has fueled civil wars, insurgencies, and organized crime, posing a significant threat to national security and socio-economic development.”
He called on local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and community leaders to discourage illegal activities, adding, “We cannot afford to turn a blind eye. It is our collective responsibility to address these issues and ensure peace in our communities.”
Oyo Shortlists 15,000 Applicants for Civil Service Recruitment
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has shortlisted 15,000 applicants from a pool of 22,235 submissions for recruitment into the state civil service.
The Computer-Based Test (CBT) for shortlisted candidates will begin on Monday, November 25, at designated centers.
Speaking at a press briefing in Ibadan, Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Chief Kamoru Abiodun Aderibigbe, highlighted the administration’s commitment to transparent and extensive recruitment.
“This process is unprecedented in the history of Oyo State,” Aderibigbe said. “Over the last two decades, recruitments have been on a cadre basis. Under this administration, 60 environmental health officers and 692 education officers were recruited in 2020, while 19 officers recently joined the Ministry of Lands.”
He further explained that the current recruitment exercise aims to fill 900 vacancies. “Applicants are divided into two groups for examinations. Education, Environmental Health, Social Welfare, and Youth candidates will take the CBT on November 25-26 at the Arch. Bamidele Samson CBT Center, while others will sit for theirs on November 28 at the Distance Learning CBT Center, Ajibode.”
Chief Aderibigbe urged applicants who have not received invitations to check the state government’s job portal for updates.
