By MOROMOKE AKANJI

The Osun Government has approved the establishment of a Joint Security Taskforce (JTF) to strengthen security response following recent security alerts in the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, on Thursday in Osogbo.

Alimi said that to ensure the smooth take-off of the JTF, the state government was ready to provide all necessary logistics to strengthen the protection of lives and property across the state.

The commissioner said the decision to establish the JTF was reached at the State Security Council meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kola Adewusi, with the new Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Zungura, in attendance.

Adewusi, during the meeting, lauded the steadfastness of security agencies in providing security in the state, and urged them not to relent in the face of fresh security threats.

The deputy governor said Gov. Ademola Adeleke was committed to further empowering the security agencies to secure the state, while calling on traditional rulers to sustain their local security oversight.

According to the statement, the council, during its deliberations, also allayed the fears of residents over their security and protection, noting that Osun remained safe and secure.

The council urged residents to remain extra vigilant, particularly in churches, mosques and schools, and called on stakeholders to put additional security measures in place around their premises.

While assuring the public of their safety, the council also urged members of the public to share timely intelligence with security agencies to forestall attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits.

The Nigeria Police, in conjunction with other security agencies, were also directed to remain on 24-hour red alert to curtail the threats posed by the suspected bandits and terrorists.

The statement added that the meeting also reached an agreement among the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to collaborate in ensuring that criminal suspects were properly investigated and prosecuted without delay.

It was learnt that the DSS held separate meetings with the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Sept. 9 in Osogbo, where religious leaders were advised to take preventive measures against possible attacks.

The development followed an intelligence report that terrorists were plotting to spread insecurity to the southern part of the country, particularly the South-West, and create tension ahead of the 2027 presidential election. (NAN)