Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has unveiled an expanded vision for comprehensive financing of security infrastructure across the state, pledging enhanced support for formal and informal security agencies to strengthen protection of lives and property.

The governor spoke on Thursday while receiving members of the Osun State Security Trust Fund who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Osogbo.

According to Adeleke, his administration is mobilising resources to improve equipment, facilities and logistics for security agencies, stressing that personnel at all levels deserve adequate care and support.

“We have a big vision of well-equipped security services serving the people of Osun State. The men and women of our various security agencies deserve extensive support and care. They secure us; they protect us; we must care for them,” the governor said.

He listed the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, paramilitary outfits, vigilantes and neighbourhood hunters as critical stakeholders in the state’s security architecture.

Adeleke expressed concern over the growing insecurity in neighbouring Kwara State, particularly the banditry crisis, noting that Osun must proactively fortify its security framework to counter external threats and permanently address internal challenges.

“Osun is in the midst of many things, the most worrisome being the banditry crisis in neighbouring Kwara State, among others. We need to strengthen the security services here in Osun to counter external threats and permanently resolve internal threats. That is why the Security Trust Fund was established, and I am glad the committee members are up and doing,” he stated.

The governor, who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, and the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining a safe environment for ongoing multi-sectoral development across the state.

Earlier, the Secretary of the Trust Fund, Femi Oyedipe, Esq., briefed the governor on the activities and ambitious targets of the fund, assuring him of the committee’s readiness to deliver on its mandate.

“We assure Your Excellency that the Trust Fund has developed an actionable work plan to meet the aspirations of the state government,” Oyedipe said.

Other members of the Trust Fund present at the meeting included the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Governor, Samuel Ojo; Dr Charles Akhabue; and Sir Adekunle Adepoju, among others.

The statement was signed by the spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.