Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) supervising the South West, David Folawiyo, has said that contrary to rumours being milled around, Oyo State is not experiencing any instability.
Folawiyo also said that the portrayal of insecurity in the state, especially by social media, is not as terrible as it is made to look.
The DIG stated this on Monday, February 22, 2021, during a meeting with police officers and men of the state police command at its Eleyele headquarters in Ibadan.
DIG Folawiyo added that the police were already working with residents of the state to bring about a lasting solution to the crises which occurred at at Shasha market in Ibadan, and Ibarapa zone of the state.
He further disclosed that he was in the state to discuss with officers and men on how to improve security in the state.
“I want to say that the security situation in the state is not as terrible as it is being portrayed, especially on social media.
“However, I am in the state to look at what we have done and how we can perform better.
“In fact, Oyo State appears calmer than as presented, especially on social media. We have no statewide-crisis. So there is no instability in Oyo, but things can be better.
“We are paying serious attention to Ibarapa. We are also working with the people to overcome the Shasha crisis.
“We are working with the people to bring about a lasting solution to the crisis. It is a wonderful thing that when you work with the community and they are also listening to you,” Folawiyo stated.
In his remarks to the officers and men of the command, the DIG said it was time to take stock of what had been done.
“We are taking stock of what the police have done in Oyo State. It is a time of reckoning, an account of what they are doing as a public trust.
“It is a parley between the leadership, and the officers and men.
“We will reckon and consider whether we are responsive enough as a public trust.
“Today, we will be sensitising ourselves; today will be a wake-up call; today, there can be punishments; because it is important to punish lack of, or inadequate supervision.
“It is important to discharge yourselves, and ably well so, for what we are and what we do,” he said further.
He noted that there were too many duplicities in police structures and formations.
He also mentioned too many laxities, accounts of indiscipline, inadequacies, improprieties and impunities.
He added: “So, I will give you anecdotes and present to you in reality some of the ills encumbering successful criminal policing, expecting remarks and promises.”
Speaking with journalists, the DIG said it was time to take stock of what the police force had done in Oyo State.
Saying that he was not in the state to take measures, Folawiyo stated that he was rather there to take stock and regularise , advise and consider what manner and policies had failed and need to be put in place.
“We are reinforcing the will of the state command to live up to its duties. We are not doing badly, but can do better,” he said.
