The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening intelligence-driven security measures and deepening collaboration with national defence and intelligence institutions to tackle kidnapping, cybercrime and other emerging threats.
The Acting Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Lawal, made this known through the Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde, while receiving the Commandant and participants of the Advanced Defence Intelligence Officers’ Course 16 (2026) of the Defence Intelligence College, Karu.
The delegation was in Oyo State as part of its National Study Tour, which forms part of the field component of the five-to-six-month Advanced Defence Intelligence Officers’ Course.
The meeting was held at the Conference Room of the Local Government Service Commission, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, on Friday, the Acting Governor said security remains a major priority of the state government.
Lawal described the Defence Intelligence College as an institution playing a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s national security and intelligence capacity.
He said the state government views security as the foundation for sustainable economic development, investment, education, social stability and the wellbeing of residents.
The Acting Governor said the Makinde administration had continued to strengthen the state’s security architecture through improved inter-agency cooperation, intelligence gathering and sharing, investment in surveillance and communications infrastructure, as well as increased community engagement.
He acknowledged that the security environment was constantly changing, with kidnapping, banditry, sophisticated criminal networks and cyber-related crimes posing growing challenges.
Lawal therefore expressed the state government’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security and intelligence institutions.
He identified intelligence development, early warning systems, information sharing, capacity building and community-based security as key areas for increased cooperation.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Defence Intelligence College, Commodore Usman Bugaje, said the delegation comprised course participants and faculty members of the institution.
He explained that the National Study Tour was designed to expose participants to real-world security challenges and complement the theoretical training they receive in the classroom.
According to Bugaje, the course combines classroom instruction with field exposure to enable participants to identify security and intelligence gaps and develop actionable solutions.
The delegation also engaged security agencies, military formations and other stakeholders in Oyo State to gain practical insight into the state’s security architecture.
Bugaje said the tour provided an opportunity for the officers to study the government’s response to recent security incidents, including kidnapping.
The commandant commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his support for security agencies, intelligence operations and the coordination of the state’s security architecture.
He said the findings from the study tour would be documented and shared with state governments and relevant security agencies.
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According to him, the exercise is expected to contribute to improved intelligence gathering and security operations across the country.
Lawal, in turn, urged the participants to use the study tour to engage stakeholders, exchange experiences and identify practical approaches that could strengthen Nigeria’s national security.
He reminded the officers that their responsibilities extend beyond professional training, stressing the need to protect lives, preserve national unity and create an environment where citizens can live and prosper peacefully.
The Acting Governor assured the delegation that Oyo State would continue to support legitimate efforts aimed at maintaining peace, protecting residents and strengthening security across the state.
