The Ondo State Security outfit, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has reassured residents of its resolve to combat the surge in kidnapping and banditry in the state.
The Commandant of the Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, stated this after a meeting with lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday in Akure.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the House of the Assembly had earlier summoned the commandant and the Special Adviser to Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Security Matters, Mr. Gbenga Atiba, to brief it on the security situation in the state.
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Adeleye, who spoke to journalists after the meeting, said that the corps and other security agencies in the state had intensified efforts to combat the surge in criminal activities.
” We have explained in details the government’s proactive measures in addressing security challenges.
“We want to reassure the good people of the state that Ondo State remains safe despite security breaches. The corps is committed to maintaining law and order at all costs to protect residents.
“As of today, all security agencies in the state are working tirelessly in the affected areas.
“A joint team, comprising the police, the army, the civil defence, the DSS, and Amotekun, is operating efficiently,” he stated.
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Also, Speaker of the House of the Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, said that the commandant had assured the lawmakers that proactive measures were being taken to curb kidnapping, land grabbing among others.
Oladiji said that among the resolution of the meeting was the need to engage with first class traditional rulers in the state so as to address the challenge of criminality in their respective domains.
“The House observed that many criminal activities are linked to individuals who have been provided shelter
“To address this, the assembly has resolved to hold security meetings with royal fathers to develop strategies for monitoring and controlling these activities,” he said.
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The speaker said that it was also resolved that the law establishing the Amotekun corps would be reviewed and where necessary amendments made to strengthen its operations.
The speaker said lawmakers were instructed to return to their constituencies and engage with key stakeholders to discuss security concerns and evolve preventive measures.
Oladiji assured residents that with the strategies in place, the security situation in the state would improve significantly.
