Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday signed Executive Order 001 of 2026 into law to regulate associations, groups and organisations providing security and allied services across the state.
The governor said the move became necessary to ensure that vigilante groups and other community-based security outfits operate within a clearly defined legal and operational framework that promotes peace, order and the rule of law.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Ibadan, Makinde said the growing security challenges in various communities and the increasing activities of unregulated security groups made the directive unavoidable.
He noted that while security remains a collective responsibility between government and citizens, all organisations involved in security-related activities must now be properly registered, documented and monitored by the state government.
Makinde also warned against actions capable of creating ethnic tension in the state, cautioning socio-cultural groups against narratives that could encourage ethnic profiling, discrimination or confrontation.
According to him, the government will not tolerate any form of criminality carried out under the guise of security operations.
The governor also addressed the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, assuring residents that efforts are ongoing to secure the safe return of the victims.
He commended security agencies and residents for remaining calm during the period and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving security coordination across the state.
Makinde further urged residents to report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies instead of taking the law into their own hands.
Earlier, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, explained that all associations and organisations offering security-related services with more than five members must register with the state government through the Office of the Special Adviser on Security.
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He added that existing groups have been given 72 hours from the signing of the executive order to notify the government and begin the documentation and certification process.
According to Aikomo, the regulation will help the government properly identify and monitor individuals and groups operating in security uniforms or carrying weapons within the state.
He warned that any organisation that fails to comply with the directive would be treated as violating the law and sanctioned accordingly.
The commissioner also disclosed that the Office of the Special Adviser on Security, the Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been directed to ensure immediate enforcement of the executive order.
