By Maria Ifafesobi
AKURE – Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured the people of the state that no criminal element shall trouble the relative peace enjoyed in the state, as the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) begins operation.
The Governor stressed that with a workable synergy among the leadership of the security agencies and that of Amotekun, water-tight strategies capable of arresting crimes even before they occur would be deployed.
Mr. Akeredolu spoke at the Passing-Out Ceremony of the pioneer Amotekun Corps Officers in the state, held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Igbatoro Road, Akure, the state capital.
The Governor recalled that many people felt he was putting his second term ambition on the line when the Àmòtékùn Corps was launched in Ibadan in January this year.
”And I told them, time and again, that my ambition is not worth the insecurities that our people are confronted with, where at some point, people were afraid of traveling out of the State.
“It was so horrible that marauders laid siege to the highways, as well as in the farmlands, waiting to kidnap or devour anyone in sight. With the launch of Amotekun, we resolved that it shall be no retreat, no surrender. We are not going to be intimidated or blackmailed,” Akeredolu said.
Governor Akeredolu, who expressed his readiness to champion the course of a better, safer and prosperous society and country, said he was determined not to pay lip service to the constitutional role of government, which is to seek the welfare and protection of the lives and property of the people.
He said: “It is incontrovertible that the existing security framework is being overstretched and we had to devise a means of confronting the challenge of insecurity head-on. That was when the concept of Amotekun came up. As Yorubas, we are not known to surrender to our adversaries and if our forebears did not, we should not.
“On March 4, 2020, just two months after the launch of Amotekun in Ibadan, the Bill setting up the Corps was signed into law, after diligent and thorough work by the State House of Assembly. The import of this is that Amotekun Corps is now a legal entity not just the idea of an individual.
“As noted, Mr. Akeredolu declared that Àmòtékùn was not a parallel security structure to any of the security agencies but was to complement what was on the ground so that together they can achieve the goal of a safer environment, conducive enough to encourage foreign investors and rid the State of all forms of crime and criminally-minded elements.
Mr. Governor also reassured the people that the forthcoming election in the State would be very peaceful, adding that the state will not tolerate any form of thuggery or criminality occasioned by elections.
Traditional rulers including the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fedrick Obateru Akinrutan, Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye and other prominent monarchs attended the event.
Heads of security agencies in the State, as well as religious leaders and other stakeholders, also graced the event.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Ese-Odo Constituency at the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Success Torkeijor has lauded the successful take-off of the security network in Ondo State.
In a statement made available to Technocrat Media, he applauded the successful take-off of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps).
The Lawmaker noted, “that there is no doubt that Amotekun will stem the tide of criminality in Ondo State and indeed the entire South-west geographical zone of the country”.
Mr. Torhukerhijo praised the efforts of the Governors of South-west for the conceptualization and actualization of the Amotekun Initiative, adding that it shows clearly that they are sensitive to the security challenges facing the zone.
He, however, called on the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN to bear in mind the peculiarities of the riverine area of the State, while providing operational facilities for the Corps.
According to the Lawmaker, “a number of vehicles were procured before the Take-off of the Security Outfit, without any provision for the uniqueness of the riverine communities”.
He stated further that, “there is a need to procure canoes, boats, speed boats and gunboats for the Corps to work effectively in the riverine areas.
He also enjoined the Governor to ensure the involvement of the minority Ijaws in the composition of the Amotekun Board and other principal offices, aside recruitment of officers.
He concluded by commending the Chairman House Committee on Security, Mr. Ololade Gbegudu whose untiring efforts, passion, and commitment led to the timeous passage of the Amotekun Bill by the House of Assembly.
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