Crime & Court
Safe City Project : Oyo Govt. Introduces Security Levy
IN line with the government’s commitment to boost security and enhance safety of lives and property, the Abiola Ajimobi led Oyo state government through its trust fund dubbed ‘Oyo State Security Trust Fund’,OYSSTF says it was set to implement a compulsory security levy in the state.
Formally announcing the introduction of
the levy on Monday, the government said it would be tailor-made to suit the economic profile of the state as well allow corporate bodies, individuals and all residents to contribute to the security of the state.
The state governor, Abiola Ajimobi made the disclosure, while addressing stakeholders at a town hall meeting entitled: ‘Public-Private Partnership in Security Funding: Introduction of Security Levy in Oyo State,’ organised by OYSSTF at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan.
According to him, an enabling law of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSSTF) as amended by the state House of Assembly was to pave way for the operation of a private sector driven OYSSTF to incorporate the introduction of the security levy into law to the effect that corporate organisations, religious and other social bodies are made to pay yearly security levies to the Trust Fund.
Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo, informed that the security levy was introduced “to ensure that all stakeholders fulfill their roles as responsible citizens of the state and by contributing their quota to the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in Oyo State.
“It is not in doubt that our security agencies have faced a serious shortfall in funding. Funding Oyo State Security Trust Fund is the key to achieving all these goals. On our part, this hover has granted a one per cent security tax on all contracts executed on behalf of the state government, and I am also aware that these deductions have assisted the Fund in the past year.
“For the furtherance of our agenda on safety and security, we have embraced the safe city project, which will proffer cutting edge solutions that will nip crime and criminality in the bud, especially in our major townships. We are currently installing closed circuit television (CCTV) in black spots and business districts in the city to enhance our security architecture. I ask all the stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the security levy collection exercise that is to commence shortly.”
Describing the idea of state police as a step in the right direction, the governor averred that the present federal structure of security agencies is not sustainable.
He further noted that the existing structure in the state should be strengthened and not abandoned, adding that in more than six years, the scorecard of his administration, which are peace and security, suggested that “we did not only dream about the desire to make the people of Oyo State sleep with their two eyes firmly shut, we have achieved it. We have reined in the rapacious drivers’ unions and clamped down on all brigands in the state.”
“We inaugurated the joint security outfit codenamed ‘Operation Burst’ with six zonal commands. To give the outfit the needed bite, we procured armoured personnel carriers, a fleet of patrol vehicles and equipped them with state-of-the-earth communication equipment for their operations.
“To enlist the support of stakeholders, we went a step further by floating the Oyo State Security Trust Fund to raise funds for the improvement of the security architecture of the state. The result of these efforts is a drastic reduction in crime rate and civil unrest manifesting in no major crime or robbery in the last six years”, he said.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of OYSSTF, Chief Bayo Adelabu, said the organisation intends to transform the security apparatus in the state from being a reactionary one to an anticipatory one. He added, “ this vision can be achieved only if there is an upward review in funding of areas such as rehabilitation of existing barracks and quarters, procurement of arms and ammunition, purchase of vehicles, helicopters, surveillance cameras and maintenance of existing stocks as well as procurement of kits and basic equipment for officers.”
Adelabu, disclosed that OYSSTF has donated 66 Hilux vans to security agencies, stressing that other areas of concern include the establishment of forensic laboratories and upgrade of all police stations across the state to be information technology compliant, as provided for in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
“A proper fund base is needed for this transformation and the security level will be tailor-made to suit the economic profile of Oyo State. With proper fund base, Oyo State Security Trust Fund will channel these funds to the weak spots within the state security apparatus”.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Abiodun Odude, lauded the Governor Ajimobi-led administration for introducing OYSSTF and ‘Operation Burst’ , saying with this, the government has placed security issues on the front burner. He maintained that security agencies have been trying their best with government’s support to nip crime and criminality in the bud, noting that security is a collective responsibility of all and sundry.
According to him, in the last one year, the police “have arrested more than 1,000 members of ‘One Million Boys’ and we have charged over 400 of them to court, ” saying the police need intelligence to work with.
Also, the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Yemi Soladoye, who spoke at the event urged the OYSSTF to identify the peculiarities of each zone of the state such as Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Ibarapa with a view to tackling insecurity headlong.
He advised that eminent people from each of the zones should be captured into sub-committees for their cities in order to ensure the effectiveness of the project.
The town hall meeting was well attended by top government functionaries, members of the state executive council, service commanders in the states, royal fathers, religious leaders, traditional leaders, community leaders, sociocultural groups, traders, local security groups, artisan, representatives of market women among others.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old alleged drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had reportedly been on the agency’s wanted list and that of British authorities for over 15 years.
Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what the agency described as a high-level, coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi.
Babafemi said the suspect’s arrest ended a prolonged manhunt linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and convicted for drug trafficking.
He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.
Babafemi added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 over drug-related offences.
He said, “He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.
“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, Lagos residence where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.
“He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against drug trafficking networks.
Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to track down criminal elements regardless of how long they evade the law.
He said, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.
“Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.
“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.”
Marwa also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism and persistence in tracking down the suspect.
He added that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against the defendants.
Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits in an alleged attempt to conceal the origin of certain properties.
However, the court ruled that the anti-drug agency failed to establish that the properties allegedly not declared by Kyari were actually owned by him.
Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of landed property could be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection.
According to the judge, the prosecution did not present any of these forms of evidence to prove that the properties located at Fountain Estate in Karsana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were owned by the suspended police officer.
The court also held that the prosecution failed to produce material evidence linking Kyari to properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, as well as properties in Maiduguri, Borno State.
In his defence, Kyari maintained that the properties in Borno State belonged to his late father, who bequeathed them to him and his siblings.
The judge held that the prosecution failed to prove otherwise.
Justice Omotosho also faulted the prosecution for charging Kyari’s brothers with conspiracy, describing the allegation as unsubstantiated.
He described the NDLEA’s case as weak and lacking credible evidence, adding that the defendant had served the country well and should not be subjected to persecution.
The Federal Government yesterday advised Nigerians living in the Middle East, particularly in the Islamic Republic of Iran and neighbouring Gulf states, to take extra security precautions following rising military tensions in the region.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is closely monitoring developments involving reported military operations carried out by Israel and the United States against targets in Iran, as well as subsequent retaliatory actions affecting parts of the Gulf.
The government urged Nigerians in the affected areas to remain vigilant and avoid strategic or sensitive locations such as military bases and government installations that could become flashpoints for further hostilities.
It also advised citizens to limit non-essential movement and refrain from participating in or attending public gatherings and demonstrations until the security situation stabilises.
“Nigerian citizens are strongly advised to comply with directives issued by local security authorities. Cooperation with host authorities is critical to ensuring personal safety,” the statement said.
Diplomatic missions, including the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran and consular offices in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, have been placed on high alert to assist Nigerians and facilitate communication where necessary.
The advisory followed reports of airstrikes on sites in Iranian cities, with explosions and plumes of smoke observed in the capital.
United States officials described the operations as efforts to neutralise security threats, while Israeli authorities characterised them as preventive and defensive measures.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States aimed to eliminate what he described as imminent dangers and vowed to destroy missile infrastructure linked to Iran’s defence capabilities. Israeli officials similarly framed the operations as defensive.
International reactions have been cautious. The African Union expressed concern over the potential impact on regional and global stability, urging restraint from all sides.
The European Union also reacted, with European Council President Antonio Costa describing the developments as troubling and confirming that European leaders remain in contact with regional partners.
The Federal Government reiterated that the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad remain a priority and appealed to all parties involved to de-escalate hostilities and return to dialogue in the interest of global peace and stability.
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