Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde,through his Deputy, Bayo Lawal,unveiled the newly reconstructed Moniya Area Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, amidst bold claims of an “unwavering commitment” to the safety of residents. The event, a showcase for the administration, saw the governor’s representatives touting the state’s “robust” security infrastructure, while glossing over ongoing safety concerns across Oyo.

The staged commissioning also included two motorised boreholes at the Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Challenged and Akuro Community, conveniently packaged as evidence of the government’s “multi-faceted approach” to public welfare. Observers, however, questioned whether these moves were more about headlines than real impact.

Governor Makinde, via a statement from his Special Adviser, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, described the new Area Command as a “testament” to his government’s proactive stance on security. Yet, critics point out that challenges remain unresolved for many ordinary citizens, especially as the state grapples with rapid urbanisation.

Makinde stressed that Moniya and Akinyele Local Government are “focal points for investment and migration” due to flashy projects like the Circular Road and Dry Port,even as locals contend with basic crime and security threats. “This project has a lot of facilities… which will help the officers to perform their duties effectively,” the governor said, before urging community members to “remain vigilant”,in effect, shifting some responsibility onto the public.

In an effort to portray a hands-on government, Makinde also boasted that the majority of police equipment and vehicles in Oyo are state-provided, implying that Abuja is falling short. He asserted that the state would cover any additional needs for the new Area Command, and flashed statistics to dub Oyo “the safest in the South-West”,a claim that many residents might dispute.

Local government chairman Akinwole Akinleye fell in line, praising the administration’s “strategic positioning” of the new Area Command while promising residents full protection,even as insecurity remains a nationwide crisis.

The Commissioner of Police, represented by his deputy, repeated the standard call for residents to supply information to law enforcement, reinforcing the narrative that safety is everyone’s job,not just the government’s.

Other government officials dutifully lined up to lavish praise on the governor’s “security initiatives,” encouraging full use of the new facilities. Yet, the focus remained on optics rather than substance, with dignitaries and traditional leaders in attendance to lend legitimacy to the event.

At the end of the day, Makinde’s administration managed to stage another well-publicized commissioning, but whether this translates into lasting security improvements for Oyo’s residents remains to be seen.