Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Thursday in Ibadan solicited the partnership of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to tackle illegal mining in the state.

Mr Makinde sought the partnership when he hosted the new General Officer Commanding, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Aminu Ginade, who paid him a courtesy visit.

He said that his administration was trying to gather intelligence reports on illegal miners and to pass the same to the army and other security agencies.

Mr Makinde also pledged his continued support for the army and for other security agencies in the state and commend the army for its contributions so far.

“You provided officers and men for the state’s security outfit -‘Operation Bust’.

“The army personnel have been conducting themselves professionally and that is why the relationship between the Division and the civilian population has been cordial.

“We have managed ourselves very well and they have also assisted us in difficult times,” he said.

The governor also noted that there were lots of security challenges facing the country in spite of its dwindling fortunes.

“We know this is a difficult period for us as a nation. We are faced with insurgency in the Northeast and banditry in the Northwest.

“Even closer home here, we have been receiving reports of pressure on bandits in Niger and some of them have infiltrated Oyo State through Kwara and the northern part of Oyo State.

“We will contribute our own portion to ensure that `Operation Still Waters’ of the Nigerian Army is successful in this state,’’ the governor assured.

Earlier, Mr Ginade appreciated Makinde for the support he had been giving to the army in the state.

“Let me use this opportunity to hint you about our ‘Operation Still Waters’.

“It is an annual exercise designed to address prevailing security issues within the respective areas of operations where those exercises are conducted.

“The ‘Operation Still Waters’ exercise will run till the end of the year and even to the early part of 2023.

“So, I want the good people of Oyo State to feel at home when they see the military movement and the hype in military activities.’’

“We convey the warm greetings of the Chief of Army Staff to you and thank you for being good to us and to other sister agencies.

“We thank you so much for the unprecedented support for 2 Division, because I have had the opportunity to serve in the Division before now,” Mr Ginade said. 

(NAN)