Ademola Adeleke of Osun on Saturday appealed to the Nigerian Army to intensify efforts at preventing the infiltration of bandits into the state from neighbouring Kwara.
Adeleke made the appeal while speaking at the Passing Out Parade of the 89 Regular Recruits Intake held at the Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo.
The governor, who described the event as significant to national security, said the ceremony underscored the critical role of the military in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and defending the Constitution.
He commended the Nigerian Army for its decades of service in maintaining both internal and external peace, noting that the Army, in collaboration with other services, the Police and security agencies, had remained central to the containment of terrorism, banditry and communal conflicts.
“For us as a state government, we have enjoyed a very close partnership with the Nigerian Army and the entire military establishment. From my hometown and across the state, our engagement with servicemen has continued to deliver peace and stability,” he said.
Adeleke said Osun had remained one of the most peaceful states in the country largely due to the sacrifices and dedication of the military and other security agencies, stressing that the state government deeply appreciated the efforts of servicemen and women.
He disclosed that troops were currently deployed in border communities between Osun and neighbouring states to conduct special operations aimed at containing banditry and kidnapping.
“Our dear Army Chief, your men are currently around the border towns between Osun and Kwara States conducting special operations to contain banditry and kidnapping. We are very grateful for this support,” the governor said.
He, however, appealed for sustained military presence to prevent any infiltration of bandits into Osun from Kwara State, describing the threat as real but expressing confidence that the ongoing operations would succeed.
Addressing the newly passed-out recruits, Adeleke urged them to remain dedicated to the values and ethos of military service, reminding them that they were joining an institution widely acknowledged as the heartbeat of the nation.
“You have a duty to remain loyal to the Nigerian Army, the Constitution and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The governor also called on political leaders across the country to adopt dialogue and consensus-building in resolving governance challenges, noting that political solutions would reduce tension and ease the burden on the military and other security agencies.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for promoting inclusiveness in governance, saying such an approach would strengthen national unity and stability.
Adeleke assured that the Osun State Government remained committed to peaceful political engagement and harmony, adding that this would enable security agencies to focus on their core responsibilities of protecting lives and property.
The passing-out parade was attended by senior military officers, traditional rulers, government officials, serving and retired military personnel, other security operatives and representatives of the media.
