Top security brass in the state last night offered what they termed practical and workable solution to forestall repeat of the incident.
The security experts who spoke to National Pilot maintained that it was high time the state established Security Trust Fund and invest massively on the purchase of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to be placed in strategic points across the state especially where banks are situated.
The 7th Kwara State House of Assembly under former Speaker, Hon Razak Atunwa passed the Security Trust Fund Bill sent to it by Governor Ahmed in 2011.
The 8th legislature, sequel to a motion moved by member representing Oke Ogun Constituency, Barr. Kamal Fagbemi, recently urged the government to set machinery in motion to ensure implementation of the law among others that had been passed by the House to enhance the wellbeing of the people of the state.
One of the experts, who spoke on condition of anonymity, called on the executive to revisit the bill and act on it, suggesting that banks and other top companies in the state including affluent Kwarans should donate to the trust fund.
According to him, the first thing as a matter of urgency for the state government to do is the purchase of at least 15 APCs to be deployed to Ilorin, Offa, Omu-Aran, Share and other communities in the state that have commercial banks.
He said four APC should be stationed in Ilorin, two each in Offa, Omu-Aran and Share and all other places with banks presence, depending on the number of the financial institutions located in such areas.
The government, he noted, should also set up a Security Trust Fund which has been passed by the House of Assembly to take care of the security challenges in the state as done by other states like Lagos.
But, he advised that such fund should be managed by credible and well respected people in the society to guide against mismanagement in order to build the trust of the contributors.
“The donors should also include the state government which should make appreciable contribution, banks, top companies and well- to- do individuals. They should get the people to buy into the project to protect the lives and property of the citizens.
“Without security, nobody will come to invest in Kwara State and even the banks and other financial institutions will close down and stop operating if we cannot guarantee security as witnessed in Omu-Aran,
“Top companies will do same by moving their businesses to more secured states. Other states have already taken steps to secure the lives and property of their people and they are reaping the benefits, Kwara state should not be left behind”, he submitted.
Also, a retired Nigeria Air Force commander, AVM Femi Oyinloye who described the situation as a “sad one”, called for recruitment of more policemen.
“Arms and wars have overtaken Nigeria. All hope is not lost. If more policemen are recruited and spread across the country; then, more arms should be provided for police.
“Police know most of these criminals… and they can get them, and the judiciary should also ensure proper justice is done. If they need to be executed, then they should go ahead”, he added.
