By Shina Abubakar

OSOGBO — The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State chapter, has presented 60 operational vehicles to security agencies in the state to strengthen crime-fighting efforts and improve emergency response.

The donation, made on Saturday, is the second batch of vehicles provided this year by the association. Earlier in the year, ALGON donated 300 motorcycles and 30 operational vehicles to security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Speaking during the presentation, Osun ALGON Chairman, Samuel Idowu, said the vehicles were procured to reduce the response time of security personnel to distress calls across the state.

He explained that local government chairmen understood the operational challenges facing security agencies and had responded by providing logistics support to enhance their effectiveness.

“Without peace and stability, no society can thrive and no government can achieve its developmental goals. That is why the leadership of our local councils has taken the bold step of supporting security formations across the state.

“The presentation of these 60 GAC utility vehicles completes the 90 operational vehicles we promised to deliver,” he said.

Idowu described the intervention as evidence of the positive impact of local government autonomy, noting that the provision of patrol vehicles would strengthen security and promote development across Osun State.

“The provision of these patrol vehicles is not only a security intervention but also a practical demonstration of the effectiveness of local government autonomy in Nigeria, particularly in Osun State,” he added.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiary security agencies, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, said the vehicles would significantly enhance security operations throughout the state.

According to him, the operational vehicles would improve mobility, response time, patrol coverage, intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration in tackling crime and maintaining public order.

“These operational vehicles will significantly improve mobility, response time, patrol coverage, intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration in combating crime and maintaining public order.

“As beneficiaries of this support, we assure members of the public that these assets will be deployed judiciously, maintained properly and utilised strictly for the purpose for which they are intended, which is to safeguard lives and property and ensure peace across Osun State,” he said.

The vehicles were presented to security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Immigration Service.