A former member of the House of Representatives and the APC candidate for the Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency, Hon. Olatunbosun George Oladele (BGO), has appealed to the Federal Government to hasten the establishment of a permanent military base along the Igbeti–Igboho axis.
Oladele made this appeal while condemning an early-morning attack on an Operation Burst base along the Igbeti–Igboho axis in Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The attack, which occurred between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, involved suspected gunmen who reportedly stormed the security facility within a forest reserve and opened fire on security personnel before setting a patrol van and part of the facility ablaze.
Although no casualty was reportedly recorded, the incident has heightened concerns over the security situation along the Igbeti–Igboho corridor, particularly the vulnerability of security installations and surrounding communities located close to extensive forest terrain.
Reacting to the development, Oladele commended the security personnel who responded to the distress call and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend those behind the attack.
He, however, said the incident further underscored the need for the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base or stronger military formation along the Igbeti–Igboho axis.
According to him, the strategic location of the area, its proximity to the Old Oyo Forest Reserve and the vast rural communities scattered across the axis make a permanent security presence imperative.
He noted that the call for stronger military intervention in the area was not a recent development, recalling that he had raised similar concerns on the floor of the House of Representatives while representing the constituency.
The APC House of Representatives candidate had, in March 2018, moved a motion at the National Assembly over what he described as the spate of killings, kidnappings, robbery and other violent crimes affecting communities within Irepo, Oorelope and Olorunsogo Federal Constituency.
The motion drew attention to insecurity in communities including Igbeti, Igboho, Kishi and Igbope, as well as more than 200 villages and settlements within the constituency. The House subsequently called for military and police intervention to address the security situation.
Oladele said the latest development should, therefore, be viewed as a further warning that security authorities must move beyond reactive measures and develop a more permanent and intelligence-driven security architecture for the area.
“This is not a new concern. Years ago, I raised the issue of insecurity affecting our communities on the floor of the National Assembly. The developments we are witnessing today further reinforce the need for the authorities to take the security of this axis more seriously,” he said.
He called for increased surveillance of the forest corridors, improved intelligence gathering and stronger coordination among the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Operation Burst and other security agencies operating in the region.
“We cannot afford to wait until lives are lost before decisive action is taken. The safety of our people, farmers, travellers, businesses and security personnel must remain a priority.
“What is required now is a proactive and sustainable approach. A permanent military presence in this corridor would enhance intelligence gathering, facilitate rapid response to security threats and provide greater confidence for communities across the area,” Oladele added.
He also urged the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the reported attack and ensure that anyone found responsible is brought to justice.
Hon. Oladele stressed that the security of lives and property remained fundamental to the development of Oke-Ogun, noting that agriculture, education, commerce and other economic activities could not flourish in an environment where residents and investors remained apprehensive about their safety.
He reaffirmed his commitment to making the protection of lives and property a major component of his legislative agenda, urging the government to treat the security challenges along the Igbeti–Igboho axis with the urgency they deserve.
