Sequel to the determination of the Governors of the six States in the Southwest region to tackle head-on, the menace of kidnapping, armed banditry and other criminal activities rampaging the region through formation of a joint security operation, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has pledged the inclusion of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and other local security outfits in the formation of the recently launched State security group code named “Amotekun”.
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Akeredolu who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, on Wednesday, while receiving the state executive members of the Aare Onakakanfo, Dr. Gani Adams led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) who paid him a courtesy visit at the Alagbaka Governor’s office in Akure, the state capital, stressed that the state government had resolved to partner the group as a leading member of the state security outfit, Amotekun for the purpose of home brew community policing aimed at banishing criminal activities out of the state.
The Governor’s aide said the Governors of Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos states specifically enlisted the service and cooperation of the Aare Onakakanfo, Dr. Gani Abiodun Adams led OPC to coordinate other local groups such as Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Agbekoya Group and local hunters to partner and assist the police in securing the Southwest region against kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
“My Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who is the chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum convened the Southwest Security meeting in Ibadan, Oyo state capital few weeks ago where it was resolved by the forum to jointly finance a security outfit to tackle the incessant cases of kidnapping, armed banditry, herdsmen attacks and criminals rampaging the region.
“It was there that it was first agreed upon that the security outfit must enlist the support and participation of our brothers in OPC under the leadership of the Aare Onakakanfo, Dr. Gani Adams in other to assist the police in it quest to get rid of organised crimes in the grassroots, our forests, our villages, towns and cities. The community policing policy will also include other local security outfits like Vigilante Group of Nigeria and local hunters.
“I am happy to also inform you that our Governor has already brazen the trail by procuring hundreds of SUV utility vans and over two hundreds and fifty motor bikes for the takeoff of the Amotekun Security outfit, which am sure, some of it will be allocated to your group, OPC as operational vehicles among other incentives to assist you in doing the job which you have volunteered to undertake for our people with all loyalty, dedication and faithfulness. The gods of our land shall be with you and keep you safe throughout the tough task,” Dojumo stated.
Also, the state Head of Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaye who welcome the delegation to the Governors’ office hailed the OPC for the fit achieved few days ago in Imesi-Ile in Osun state, where the group shifty moved to rescue fourteen people kidnapped by armed bandits in the forest of the town by launching heavy attacks on the fleeing criminals and set free the victims after arresting their abductors.
Aragbaye urged members of the Yoruba defence group to put more effort in tackling the menace of kidnapping and other criminal activities within the region, stressing that government in the state led by Governor Akeredolu is ready to partner and support the group to achieve success in making the state crime free.
The leader of the OPC delegation and Ondo state coordinator, Comrade Pius Ogunsanya delivered the goodwill message of National Coordinator and Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Dr. Gani Abiodun Ige Adams to the Government and people of Ondo State, adding that as the convener of Southwest Security Stakeholders’ Group, he shall used the group as a veritable platform to foster peace, love, understanding and unity among all the paramilitary and security stakeholders in the region.
Ogunsanya noted that the territorial protection of the Southwest region is germane and dear to the heart of Aare Gani Adams, as the group would partner with the Nigeria Police Force, relevant government security agencies, other security organizations, traditional rulers and all the Southwest Governors to protect lives and properties and complement efforts of all security agencies towards community policing in Nigeria.
In the delegation of the OPC included, the state supervisor, Nafiu Sarafa, deputy coordinator, Oluwatoyin Olaoye, Chief Steven Lawal, Com. Adeboye Akinlolu and Owo local government coordinator, Com. Taiwo Ayodele.
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