By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

OSOGBO — A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to ensure the immediate redeployment of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to strategic flashpoints across the state to strengthen security and combat rising criminal activities.

Badmus made the appeal against the backdrop of growing security concerns in parts of the country, particularly in neighbouring states, warning that withholding the vehicles from operational use could undermine efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

It would be recalled that the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola procured 20 armoured vehicles for the police and deployed them to identified security flashpoints across Osun State to support crime-fighting operations.

However, the Adeleke administration later withdrew the vehicles, citing the need for refurbishment after reportedly discovering that many of them were no longer functional.

Badmus expressed concern that more than a year after the vehicles were withdrawn, they had yet to be returned to service.

According to him, the prolonged absence of the armoured vehicles from strategic locations could weaken the operational capacity of security agencies at a time when insecurity is spreading across several parts of the country.

He particularly referenced recent security challenges in neighbouring Oyo State, stressing the need for proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in Osun.

“You know what is happening in Oyo State, which shares a boundary with us. The step taken by APC-led local government executives in providing patrol vehicles for security agencies shows that our party is concerned about ensuring prompt security responses whenever the need arises,” he said.

Badmus commended APC-controlled local government councils for donating patrol vans to security agencies, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to the protection of lives and property at the grassroots level.

He, however, urged the state government to complement such efforts by returning the armoured vehicles to the locations where they were originally deployed.

“I am using this opportunity to appeal to the state government to return the armoured vehicles that were strategically stationed across the state by the previous APC administration for security purposes.

“The government should not keep these vehicles away from service at a critical period such as this. They were withdrawn with the explanation that they were being refurbished, but more than one and a half years later, they have not been redeployed,” he said.

The APC chieftain maintained that the vehicles had previously played a significant role in combating armed robbery, kidnapping and other security threats in the state.

According to him, making the vehicles available to security agencies would enhance their ability to respond effectively to emerging threats and maintain public safety.

“We know the role these vehicles played in tackling robbery, kidnapping and other criminal activities in Osun State. If the Adeleke administration cannot introduce additional security measures, it should at least make available the security assets it inherited for the protection of the people,” Badmus added.

He called for stronger collaboration between government and security agencies to ensure that Osun State remains secure amid growing security concerns in parts of the country.