By Femi Emmanuel
The recent killing of five people during an attack at Oloka community in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State has been described as a heartbreaking tragedy that could have been avoided, reigniting calls for improved security and collective responsibility in safeguarding lives and property.
Engineer Open Salau, The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Agency lamented the incident, stressing that the loss of five lives is one too many and a painful reminder of the consequences of insecurity in rural communities. He called for strict adherence to law and order as a foundation for sustainable peace, while offering prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased and comfort for their families.
Orire Local Government Area, according to Engineer Open Salau, which covers about 2,040 square kilometres—nearly 10 per cent of Oyo State’s total landmass—was also highlighted as an area with enormous but largely untapped economic potential. With a population estimated at less than 250,000, the local government is more than half the size of Lagos State, positioning it as a strategic zone for agriculture, investment and rural development.
He noted that Orire’s vast land resources underscore the need for deliberate economic planning and enhanced security architecture to unlock its business opportunities. He stressed that addressing insecurity is inseparable from tackling economic challenges, as safety remains a key driver of investment and development.
Oyo State’s economic potential, particularly in agriculture, he said was cited as the rationale behind the state government’s prioritisation of agribusiness since 2019 under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration. The Fasola Agribusiness Hub was identified as an example already yielding results, while the Ijaye and Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hubs are expected to further transform agriculture from subsistence farming to a commercial and industrial enterprise. The hubs aim to add value to agricultural produce, reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs and attract both local and foreign investment.
However, Engineer Open Salau acknowledged that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of development and security. While the primary role of government is to provide a safe and enabling environment, citizens were urged to actively support security efforts.
Citing global policing standards, security experts noted that Nigeria requires over 500,000 police officers to effectively police a population estimated at 235 million, compared to the current strength of about 371,800 officers nationwide. This gap, he said, informed the establishment of the South-West Security Network, Amotekun, by governors of the region to complement federal security agencies.
With vast ungoverned spaces across the country, calls were renewed for constitutional reforms to allow for properly equipped state and local police formations. Until such reforms are achieved, Engineer Open Salau urged Amotekun to continue its operations with community support to help maintain law and order.
Residents were also advised to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, stressing the importance of timely information sharing. “See something, say something,” Engineer Open Salau urged, as part of a collective approach to preventing future tragedies like the Oloka incident.
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