The Ondo State House of Assembly has pledged continued legislative support and necessary backing to the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, to enable it effectively tackle emerging security challenges across the state.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Security, Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, gave the assurance when the committee paid an oversight visit to the corporate headquarters of the Amotekun Corps in Akure.
Ifabiyi, who led the delegation, said the Assembly was committed to supporting the Corps through appropriate legislation and other interventions that would strengthen its operations and enhance the protection of lives and property across the state.
He commended the Commandant, Akogun Ade Adeleye, and personnel of the Corps for their efforts in maintaining relative peace in Ondo State, noting that the improvement in the security situation was a result of the combined efforts of Amotekun and other security agencies.
“If not for the gallant efforts of the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies, perhaps the security situation in the state would have been worse than it is today,” he said.
The committee chairman said the House had visited the Corps on previous occasions, including a familiarisation visit and another engagement during the recruitment of additional personnel.
According to him, the relative peace being experienced across the state had reduced the frequency of complaints and distress calls received by lawmakers from their constituents.
He, however, stressed that the committee remained interested in the challenges confronting the Corps and would consider areas where the House could intervene through legislation, and other necessary measures.
Ifabiyi also urged the Corps to intensify preparations for the forthcoming electioneering period, saying security personnel must be adequately prepared to prevent political tensions from escalating into violence.
He said the committee would continue to work with the Corps to ensure that the 18 local government areas and various constituencies across the state remained peaceful before, during and after the elections.
The Vice Chairman of the committee, Hon. Primate Oluwatoyin Allen, also commended the Corps for its contribution to the relative peace in Ondo State.
Allen noted that the state had remained relatively peaceful despite security challenges in some neighbouring states, stressing the need for stronger collaboration and intelligence sharing among Amotekun commands across the South-West.
He also commended the management of the Corps for the manner in which the recent recruitment exercise was conducted, describing the selection of qualified personnel from the large number of applicants as a significant achievement.
Other members of the committee, including Princess Olawunmi Fayemi and Hon. Tope Agbulu, commended the Corps for its commitment and professionalism, while stressing the importance of continuous training and retraining of personnel to enable them respond effectively to emerging security threats.
Responding, the Commandant of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Akogun Ade Adeleye, appreciated the Assembly for its consistent support, particularly its legislative interventions towards strengthening the operations of the Corps.
Adeleye disclosed that the Corps had arrested more than 300 suspects and prosecuted over 100 in the past six months, while several convictions had also been secured.
He said the Corps had intensified operations across the state through its Rangers, Boundary Patrol Units, surveillance teams, Area Commands and personnel deployed across the 18 local government areas.
The Commandant said the Corps had also strengthened collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other relevant agencies.
He disclosed that two Amotekun personnel were recently killed by suspected criminals in the State, while several others sustained injuries during an operation to recover weapons and other sensitive equipment taken from the deceased officers.
Adeleye appealed for continued support for the welfare and medical treatment of injured personnel and the families of the fallen officers.
He assured the committee that the Amotekun Corps would continue to work within the law and collaborate with other security agencies to protect lives and property and strengthen the security architecture of Ondo State.
Discover more from Trace News Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
