Abiodun Harps On Intelligence Sharing As South West Security Chiefs Meet In Ogun

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for intelligence sharing among security agencies to enable them to tackle the security challenges confronting the nation.

Speaking at the 4th South West Conference of Directors of Security meeting held in Abeokuta yesterday, the governor emphasized that intelligence is one of the needed tools that would assist security agencies to perform their duties optimally

He noted that criminals have adopted new methods in carrying out their nefarious activities, hence the need for the security agencies, particularly those in the Southwest region, to up their game and share intelligence to nip crimes in the bud.

He said: “It is important that as a region, we share intelligence and see how to better secure our region because there can never be any meaningful socio-economic development in an atmosphere of insecurity.

“Nobody will come and invest in your state no matter the amount of road you build, no matter the amount of infrastructure you provide. As long as there is an air or a feeling of insecurity, all that will amount to nothing

“It is important we understand that the socio-economic development that we all desire in our various states and zones can only be achieved when we have peace and security.”

Prince Abiodun said the issue of securing the region and bridging the gap in community policing led to the emergence of Amotekun, even as he expressed delight that the idea has led to the formation of similar outfits in other regions across the country.

“As a region, we still have a lot of things in common. We have the challenges of migration across the border from the north to the south. We have a student population, particularly in Ogun State, with a lot of tertiary institutions.

“Being close to Lagos State, which is the financial capital of Nigeria, we have a spillover of activities from there. Anything that happens in Lagos, within a few minutes, you will begin to feel the impact.’’