Osun

Eight Months After, Osun Residents Still Await Adeleke’s Refurbished Armoured Personnel Carriers

ByOlamilekan Adigun

PublishedJanuary 9, 2026

Eight months after Governor Ademola Adeleke announced the refurbishment of 11 Armoured Personnel Carriers among those purchased by the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, residents of Osun State are still awaiting the distribution and operations of the security vehicles across the state.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that Ogbeni Aregbesola in 2014, purchased and handed over 20 to the Osun State command of the Nigerian Police Force.

The APCs were stationed at strategic places across the state to combat crime and criminality.

However, the APCs were withdrawn from the strategic areas during the last administration, with most of them said to be in bad condition.

However, Governor Ademola Adeleke in May 2025 announced that his administration was on the verge of completing the rehabilitation of 11 out of 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

Adeleke noted that his administration decided to rehabilitate the APCs, which were abandoned for four years by the immediate past governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, because the present government is interested in politics without bitterness.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said Adeleke, having been worried by the abandonment of the APCs, directed their rehabilitation in batches, with the first 11 carriers now nearing the final stage of rehabilitation.

“In line with my vow never to abandon any inherited projects, I have approved the rehabilitation of the Armoured Personnel Carriers in phases. This will strengthen state security and surveillance.

“We are interested in politics without bitterness. Our goal is to develop Osun and never allow any state assets to waste away”, the Governor was quoted as saying.

On the carriers are boldly written “rehabilitated by Governor Ademola Adeleke,” with the colour changed from Red to Black.

Months after the announcement, none of the refurbished Carriers were sighted, with residents calling out the state government.

A resident, Lamina Kamiludeen, last month asked Governor Adeleke to release the refurbished Armoured Personnel Carriers for security operations.

Kamiludeen, in a post on his Facebook page, accused Adeleke of keeping the Armoured vehicles despite the security challenges in some parts of the state.

The activist who claimed the government only repainted the vehicles, said the armoured vehicles should have been deployed to Ora Igbomina to support security efforts in the search for the ex-customs officer who was kidnapped in the state and yet to be released.

He wrote, “Governor Ademola Adeleke should release the armoured vehicles he repainted for security operations.

“By now, at least four armoured vehicles should have been deployed to Ora Igbomina to support security efforts in the search for the kidnapped person, especially as another individual has been killed by the unknown criminals.

“With some Armoured Personnel Carriers, the security operatives would be able to enter every part of the criminals’ hideout.

“These armoured vehicles were originally purchased by a previous administration over ten years ago. You repainted them and then kept them in a place for months in the name of recommissioning. Actually, this is not logical. The vehicles should be deployed immediately for security.”

Following the call, the state governor, said a military-backed rescue and protection security operation is ongoing in Ora Igbomina community.

He also said the refurbished Armoured Personnel Carriers would be deployed for operations across the state.

The Governor added that the state would also procure patrol vehicles to strengthen police and security operations.

“As part of our security plan, we will soon deploy the refurbished armoured tanks for operations across the state. We are also procuring patrol vehicles to strengthen police and security operations in the state. Additionally, we are reviewing the joint security patrol programme. It will be unveiled at the right time to further protect our people”, the governor noted.

But a month after renewing his promise, the Armoured Personnel Carriers have yet to be deployed for operations despite the wave of insecurity, particularly in the neighbouring states.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that armed bandits on Tuesday night invaded the National Park Service office in Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killing five forest guards.

Following the latest incident, Osun residents have renewed their call for the whereabouts of the promised refurbished Armoured Personnel Carriers and patrol vehicles.

When contacted for clarification on why the refurbished Personnel Carriers have not been deployed for operations, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Mr Samuel Ojo, in a terse message, said the APCs will be distributed soon.

“It will soon be distributed in no distant time by God’s grace,” Mr Ojo said in reply to OSUN DEFENDER reporter’s question.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.