Insecurity: Ajimobi imposes levies on religious bodies, others

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has imposed levies on residents and religious bodies as part of his efforts to combat security challenges in the state.

The categories of the levies were contained in the flyers made available to journalists yesterday at the emergency stakeholders meeting, conveyed by the governor of the state and held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Religious bodies are expected to pay N60,000 annually; while manufacturing and services are to pay N100,000 annually.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, said the meeting was convened in a reaction to an observation of a noticeable increase in the activities of criminals in neighbouring states and attacks on banks.

He stated: “It is common knowledge that before the inception of this present administration, insecurity in form of armed robberies, arson and other violent crimes as well as lawlessness from the nefarious activities of area boys had been the order of the day.

“The prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state has been the result of the zero tolerance for crime by this administration and also through the commitment of the state government to combating crime through steps such as the establishment of Oyo State Joint Security Patrol Squad code named “Operation Burst” as well as the setting up of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund,” Ajimobi stated. I can confirm that the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV ) in black spots and business districts in the city to monitor the activities of criminals has been completed and is now operational.”

The chairman of the state Security Trust Fund, Bayo Adelabu, whose address was read by the Executive Secretary of the Fund, Mr. Femi Oyedipe, noted that the spate of recent armed robberies on banks and the killing of security personnel in neighbouring states necessitated the emergency meeting.