Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Saturday appealed to the Nigerian Army to maintain intensified efforts to block bandits from infiltrating the state from neighbouring Kwara, amid ongoing security challenges along their shared border.
The governor made the call during his address at the historic Passing Out Parade of the pioneer batch of recruits from the newly established Nigerian Army Training Depot in Osogbo, the state capital.
Adeleke described the event as a milestone for national security, praising the Army's longstanding role in safeguarding Nigeria's territorial integrity and upholding the Constitution.
He highlighted the military's collaboration with police and other agencies in combating terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes.
Commending the close partnership between the state government and the military, Adeleke noted that Osun remains one of Nigeria's most peaceful states largely due to the sacrifices of security forces.
He revealed that troops are currently deployed in border communities between Osun and Kwara for special operations targeting banditry and kidnapping.
"Your men are currently around the border towns... conducting special operations to contain banditry and kidnapping. We are very grateful for this support," he told the Chief of Army Staff.
However, stressing the "real" threat of infiltration, the governor called for sustained military presence to prevent spillover from Kwara, expressing confidence in the success of current efforts.
Addressing the new recruits, Adeleke urged them to uphold loyalty to the Army, the Constitution, and Nigeria, while reminding them of their duty to serve as the "heartbeat of the nation."
He also appealed to political leaders nationwide to prioritise dialogue and consensus in resolving governance issues, arguing that political solutions would reduce tensions and allow security agencies to focus on core mandates.
Adeleke praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting inclusive governance, saying it strengthens national unity, and reaffirmed Osun's commitment to peaceful politics.
The parade, attended by senior military officers, traditional rulers, government officials, and media representatives, marked the graduation of the first recruits trained at the Osogbo depot, a significant expansion of the Army's training capacity.
This comes days after bandit attacks in Osun's Ora Igbomina community near the Kwara border, where gunmen killed a community leader and abducted a retired customs officer, prompting military-backed operations in the area.
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