By Kehinde Okeowo
Chief Adetunji Adeyeye, the commander of Ondo State Security Network, also known as Amotekun, has reiterated the need for the security outfit to have the enabling law to carry firearms proportionate to that of the criminals.
He also said the agency needs improved funding to secure a land and build barracks for staff of the security outfit, as well as to improve their welfare and quality of life, so they can be further motivated to perform better.
He also said his men have foiled 35 kidnaping attempts, prosecute 55 court cases, attended to 2,633 criminal cases in the state and impounded 26 vehicles and over 1000 motorbikes popularly known as “okada”.
In addition to that, the corps according to him, has arrested 1000 suspects involved in various criminal activities such as kidnaping , open grazing , illegal mining, robbery , rape and other misdemeanors in the state between May 2020 till date.
The award winning commander, made this known while responding to question from journalists in Akure, the capital of the state.
Chief Adeyeye, promised the agency will continue to secure and protect the people of the state.
“We want to ensure that all persons travelling along the highways, major roads, remote areas, hinterland, forests, inland, waterways, and sea are free to carry out their normal social and economic activities without fear or hindrance” he said
While laying emphases on the need to synergize with other security agencies in the state, the head of the security outfit pledged to work harmoniously with sister security outfits in a bid to rid the state of criminal elements.
“Amotekun”, formally came into existence in Ondo state in March 2020, after the state governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, signed the bill, which was earlier passed into law by the state assembly.
The Ondo State Governor while signing the bill, said that the security outfit was an effort to engender unity , peace and security by governors of South-Western Nigeria, and promised it will not be used for personal and political purposes.