How I Escaped Assassination In 2019–Makinde, Donates 74 New Operational Vehicles To Oyo Police

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has commissioned the newly reconstructed Ojoo Divisional Police Headquarter while equally donating 74 brand new operational vehicles to the state police command.

The police station was one of the affected police stations during the nationwide EndSARS protest.

While recounting how he narrowly escaped assassination in 2019 during electioneering campaign around the same Ojoo area, Makinde accompanied by his Deputy Barr Bayo Lawal, said the new security vehicles will improve the capacity of the 74 divisional police headquaters spread across the state.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the Ojoo police station on Thursday March 9, Makinde said his administration’s commitment to security of lives and properties of all residents in the state remains unwavering while warning unscrupulous and criminally minded persons to steer clear of the state.

In his words, “the divisional police stations in Oyo state are about 74 and each of them is going home today with one operational vehicle each.

“Four operational vehicles were destroyed but today we are not replacing the four, we are replacing the four with 74.

“You know I’m an advocate of state police and restructuring, and I hope that in the nearest future we will achieve this but in the meantime let me pledge to the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in Oyo state that we will continue to support you.”

Speaking further, Makinde said, “I know some people would be wondering in their minds that what is the outcome of the judicial panel of inquiry. The day the judicial panel of inquiry brought their report to me I told them to take it back.

“Because their recommendations did not capture the police who lost their lives and others who lost properties during the EndSARS protest, and I am glad to say that those we assigned to review that report they have concluded the assignment and I will act to ensure that police and everyone that lost one thing or the other during that protest are duly compensated.”

The governor then proceeded to commission the operational security vehicles and charged residents in the area to maintain it as their own.

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Others who spoke earlier at the event include the Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Makinde, CP Taiwo Owoseni, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Williams, the Executive Chairman of Akinyele local government and others.

In their separate addresses, they commended governor Makinde for fulfilling his campaign promises particularly on provision of adequate security. They equally alluded to the fact that Makinde remains arguably the only governor since the western region era that has donated over 500 operational vehicles to security agencies per term of office while charging residents in the area to protect the facility jealously to help the police achieve their mandate.

Present at the event are traditional and religious leaders, members of PCRC, representatives of other sister security agencies in the state as well as top Government functionaries.