Following the killing of two traditional rulers by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in Ekiti State on Monday, the neighbouring Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, has deployed its men to the state to assist in the addressing the security situation.
The Commander of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who also doubles as the Chairman of Amotekun Commanders in the South-West States, disclosed this while parading about 31 suspects for alleged involvement in various offences across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Recall that Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olushola, in Oye Local Government Area, and Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin, in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State were killed by hoodlums while returning from a meeting in Ekiti State a couple of days ago. The third occupant of their car, Alara of Ara-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, however, escaped from the scene.
The incident was said to have happened between Oke-Ako and Ipao-Ekiti in Ajoni Local Government Area of Editi State.
The Ondo State Commander of Amotekun, who frowned at the incident said, “a couple of days ago, we had an unfortunate situation in Ekiti State, and the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, directed that we should move to the state in the interest of brotherliness to assist in the security situation in Ekiti State
“We deployed about 100 personnel to Ekiti State to assist them and we have been there in the last 48 hours, some arrests have been made and an investigation is still ongoing on those that we arrested and we will continue to arrest until the perpetrators of such that deadly acts are fished out.”
While arguing that the only panacea to end insecurity in the country was for the Federal Government to allow State Police to function side by side with the Nigeria Police Force, Adeleye noted that the creation of state police would effectively and efficiently address the security challenges of the region.
On the suspected criminals arrested in Ondo State, Adeleye said, “Today we have again 31 suspects engaged in different nefarious and criminal acts, gathered in 18 local government areas of the state. Across the board, we have suspected kidnappers, we have those who were arrested for illegal possession of firearms in the forest reserves, and we have those who specialized in breaking shops and houses.
“What we need to assure the people is that Ondo State Security Network Agency will not relent in its efforts to get out all these criminals in our society.
“The government of Ondo State under the leadership of Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed that to the last criminal in Ondo state must be checked out and removed, this is because the government is resolute in its determination to ensure that investors, farmers, residents, commuters are not molested.
“We want to reassure the good people of Ondo State that Amotekun is intact, we will continue our 24-hour patrol, we will continue to track all criminals from the cities to the forestry reserves and ensure that travelers are not molested.
“So, I want to reassure the good people of Ondo State that there is no problem, the state is safe, they can continue their normal businesses but they must play their parts and the duty is to report any suspicious movement to us on time so that we can take action on time before it gets out of hands.
“In Ondo State if you are coming to hunt, or if you are coming for any activity in the forestry reserves, please ensure you follow the laid down regulations that allow you to enter into the forestry reserves of Ondo State.
“The straight solution to this insecurity in the country, especially in the South-West is for the Federal Government to put in place the grassroots state police. With state policing, we will be able to go grassroots, and it will be easy for us to track down all these criminals in our society.
“The panacea to solving the security breaches and problems is the state policing. We should not forget that Amotekun is both conventional and unconventional security (outfit), but the issue of weapons, once the issue of state policing is approved, there would be no limitation to the equipment they can use in combating crimes.”