GEOSPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF POLICE INSTALLATION LOCATIONS IN OYO TOWN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Evaluation of the locations of security agency installations in relation to the areas they cover is a critical
aspect of enhancing national security integrity. This study employed Geographic Information System (GIS)
methods to assess the distribution of police divisions/stations in Oyo Town, Oyo State, Nigeria. Data on the
locations of these police divisions/stations were acquired using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
An administrative map of the research area was provided by the Ministry of Land and Survey, Oyo State,
serving as the base map for analysis. Descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentage, were utilized
to analyze the data. To determine the distribution pattern of police divisions/stations and assess their coverage
area, Nearest Neighbour Analysis (NNA) and buffer operations conducted, respectively. The findings revealed
a total of 11 police divisions/stations, with Afijio Local Government Area (LGA) housing five police
installations accounting for 45.45% while Oyo West LGA had only one police division (9.09%). Settlements
such as Akinmorin, Atiba, Ojogbodu, Durbar, Ilora, Iyabode, Awe, and Jobele received adequate police
coverage. However, the majority of settlements in the extreme northern regions of the study area lacked
sufficient police infrastructure. Additionally, a significant dispersion of police divisions/stations was observed,
with a Nearest Neighbour Ratio of 1.61 at a significance level below 0.01%. Consequently, this study
recommends that police authorities increase the number of police stations in the underserved northern parts of
the study area to enhance security provision.