Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has approved a ₦5 million compensation package for each family of the Forest Guards recently killed at the Old Oyo National Park in Oloka Village, Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
In addition to the compensation, the governor announced the award of scholarships up to the university level for the children of the deceased guards.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olarenwaju, disclosed this in a statement, noting that Governor Makinde made the announcements during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the incident in Oloka Village, Oriire LGA, Ogbomosoland.
During the visit, the governor also pledged to rehabilitate the road linking Ikoyi-Ile to the Oloka community under the Rural Access and Agricultural Market Project (RAAMP). He further promised to improve telecommunications services in the area, as well as provide boreholes and solar-powered street lights for the community.
Governor Makinde also revealed plans to formally request the establishment of a military base in Oloka, stating that he would write to military authorities in Abuja to strengthen security in the area.
While reiterating his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the governor emphasized that security is a shared responsibility, urging residents to promptly report any suspicious activities to the government and security agencies.
The governor commended the Service commanders for their support, dedication and commitment to securing lives and properties of the people.
He said: “I thank everyone of you in Oloka and pray that we won’t experience such an event again. I want to say that whatever that is expected of the government to do to ensure you are all safe and secure, we will do it.
“It is quite unfortunate and I pray that God will uphold the families left behind by those who were killed.
“The reason I decided to come by myself is for me to see the environment and the challenges our security agencies might be facing. One of them is communication. I want to assure you that we will pay for telecommunication companies to come and install masts here.
“For the bandits and those causing problems here, we will ensure that you feel the presence of our fortified security from now on.
“For the families that lost their persons to the unfortunate incident, each of them will be given N5 million. They should send their representatives to us on Monday. For those who left children among the deceased, I will sign for scholarship for their children up to the university level.
“We are working very hard with our service commanders to ensure we put every necessary thing in place as touching clearance operation in the Old Oyo National Park. We will redouble our efforts.”
The governor later led the people to observe a minute silence as a mark of respect for the deceased.