The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), made up of local government chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has donated 60 patrol vehicles to security agencies to strengthen efforts aimed at combating insecurity across the state.
The vehicles were officially handed over on Saturday at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Osogbo by the ALGON Chairman, Samuel Idowu, who said the initiative reflects the association’s commitment to protecting lives, maintaining peace, and promoting the welfare of residents.
Speaking during the presentation, Idowu recalled that the association had earlier donated 30 patrol vehicles to conventional security agencies and said the latest distribution fulfilled its promise to further support security operations.
“Just a few weeks ago, we gathered here to distribute the first batch of patrol vehicles. Today, we are pleased to present the remaining vehicles to strengthen security operations and improve the maintenance of law and order across Osun State. This is truly a case of a promise made and a promise fulfilled,” he said.
He stressed that security remains essential for development, noting that no society can achieve meaningful progress without peace and stability. According to him, the donation demonstrates the determination of local government leadership to support security agencies in safeguarding communities.
Idowu attributed the success of the initiative to the financial autonomy granted to local governments following the landmark Supreme Court judgment, saying the development has empowered councils to respond more effectively to local needs.
He explained that autonomy has enabled local governments to make timely decisions, implement community-focused programmes, and take greater responsibility for the security and welfare of their people.
“As council executives, we now have the capacity to initiate and execute projects that directly benefit our communities, including this donation of patrol vehicles. It clearly shows the positive impact of local government autonomy, especially in Osun State. With today's donation of 60 vehicles, added to the earlier 30, we have now provided a total of 90 patrol vehicles,” he said.
He urged the benefiting security agencies to ensure the vehicles are properly maintained and deployed effectively for security operations.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiary agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, praised ALGON for the intervention.
Gotan described security as a collective responsibility and said the donation demonstrated confidence in the ability of security agencies to continue protecting lives and property.
According to him, the patrol vehicles will enhance operational mobility, improve emergency response time, expand patrol coverage, strengthen intelligence-driven operations, and promote better collaboration among security agencies in tackling crime and maintaining public order.
He assured residents that the vehicles would be used solely for security purposes and maintained properly to ensure maximum effectiveness.
DIP CONNECT ONLINE NEWS reports that before this latest intervention, the Osun chapter of ALGON had also donated 300 motorcycles to conventional and non-conventional security organisations across the state to boost their operational capacity.
Receiving the motorcycles at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Osogbo, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan commended President Bola Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local governments, noting that such support has enhanced their ability to contribute meaningfully to addressing security challenges.
He added that sustained collaboration between government, security agencies, and other stakeholders remains vital in overcoming the country's security challenges.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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