Group urges North-Central governors to tackle rising insecurity in region
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, has said that the influx of unknown persons into the state has contributed to the recent increase of insecurity in some parts of the state.

Commander of the Amotekun Corps in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, who raised the alarm, yesterday, while parading no fewer than 20 suspected criminals nabbed for various crimes across the 18 local councils of the state, said that the forests in the state and border communities were being inhabited by strange individuals.

According to Adeleye, the recent surge in killings and kidnappings, among other crimes in the state, can be attributed to a situation that he described as troubling.

Adeleye, however, said that the security agency under his watch remained committed to enhancing the security of the state.

Meanwhile, to prevent further attacks, the security agency has announced plans to establish a permanent camp near the locations where the gunmen had been operating.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to synergise with the police, Department of State Services (DSS), civil defence, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilante groups to ensure peace and security across the state, saying:

“This control post, expected to become operational in the coming days, will serve as a deterrent to criminals and enhance the Corps’ response time.”

The Amotekun chief, who recounted how the operatives successfully rescued five kidnapped victims after a five-day search deep into the forest, added: “Among the rescued individuals was a traumatised two-year-old child that had suffered severe beatings from the kidnappers. We thank God we arrived in time. The last five victims are here with us, and we were able to bring them out safely.”

He said that those arrested included suspected kidnappers, rapists, and thieves.

IN another development, a group, the North Central Development Initiative (NCDI) has called on governors in the North-Central region of the country to establish a regional security outfit similar to “Amotekun” in the South-West and “Ebubeagu” in the South-East to tackle the escalating insecurity in the zone.

Director-General and National Coordinator of NCDI, Musa Ali Otigba, who made the appeal, yesterday, during a media briefing in Abuja, stressed the urgent need for a joint security network to ensure stability and enable the newly established North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to carry out its developmental projects effectively.

Also, the NCDI, which reiterated its demand for the return of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairmanship position to the North-Central region as originally zoned in 2022, argued that the move would help to balance the political structure and secure continued support for the APC in future elections.