A cleric, Pastor Adewale Giwa, has called on the Ondo State Government to equip the state police command with surveillance drones to enhance its capacity to combat rising criminal activities in the state, while also faulting the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal’s directive suspending all-night religious services.

According to Giwa, who is the senior pastor of Awaiting the Second Coming of Christ Ministry, with surveillance drones, police operatives will effectively track and curb the activities of criminals in the state, particularly kidnappers, instead of the command’s position of suspending night activities in churches.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, had on Friday advised religious centres to suspend night worship activities in response to incessant security breaches across the state.

The directive of the police boss followed the recent abduction of six worshippers at a Celestial church in the Uso community, Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The cleric emphasised that the police’s stance signalled a “cowardly” approach to addressing the security challenges currently confronting the state.

Giwa argued that the police boss’s position contradicted the fundamental mandate of the police force as the primary internal security agency responsible for crime prevention and the protection of lives and property.

According to the cleric, the suspension of night worship would undoubtedly increase fear among residents rather than providing reassurance, while also maintaining that the move will further embolden bandits and terrorists to view the development as a victory over religious gatherings in the state.

He called on the police commissioner to deploy officers to protect religious centres across the state rather than subject worshippers to fear, and urged the government to fulfil its responsibilities by providing the necessary equipment for the police to combat crime effectively.

Giwa, however, acknowledged the police commissioner’s efforts since his deployment to the state, noting that the command was facing significant operational challenges, particularly due to inadequate security equipment.

He said, “Having carefully studied the statement credited to the Ondo State Commissioner of Police advising churches across the state to suspend night activities, let me categorically describe Mr Lawal’s assertion as cowardly, disappointing and unfortunate.

“Police officers are responsible for enforcing laws, protecting lives and property, preventing crime, and maintaining public order. When government commands contradict religious doctrine, we often follow the principle to obey God rather than men.

“Nobody can dictate to the church how, when or at what time to worship God. The bandits are doing everything possible to Islamise Nigeria. However, we should not allow fear to control us. All of us need to stand firm and resist evil.

“At this crucial period, I urge Mr Lawal to send his men to protect all the religious centres across the state rather than subject us to fear. The government should also stand up to its responsibilities in providing necessary equipment for the police to combat the miscreants.

“As a matter of fact, Mr Lawal has been working diligently since he was deployed to the state. I’m aware that his office is facing serious challenges in terms of security equipment. Let me use this opportunity to call on the government of Ondo State to provide enough surveillance drones with a view to curbing criminal activities.”