February 6, 2024

… Equip Amotekun, Afenifere tells S’ West Govs

The Ondo State  Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps has intercepted 149 suspects from various black spots in three local government areas of the state.

The suspects, who were tucked inside trucks when they were arrested, said they were in Ondo state on a hunting expedition.

But Ondo Commander of Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who paraded the suspects, said there has been a heavy influx of strange people into the state’s forest reserve areas.

Akogun Adeleye said the acclaimed hunters were arrested around black spots where heavy robbery operations and kidnappings occurred.

He said the suspects carefully concealed their weapons, bags of Indian hemp and cutlasses under their vehicles.

He said: “The pertinent question we are asking them, is, “Why are they hiding their guns”?

“No doubt, as Nigerians, they have the right to go anywhere in the country, but they do not have the right to go with weapons.

“As hunters, we had expected that they would have made consultations to find out their limitations.

“In Ondo State Forestry reserves, the government is very clear, that if you are a hunter and want to go into the forest, you have to register, so that the government, the kings, and the hunters will know that you are there.

He added: “However, we want to appeal to commuters that if you have any reason to do your legitimate business in Ondo state, please consult the relevant agencies and to our Baales, the Kabiyesis, and the good people of the State, we can no longer tolerate this kind of people without mission, entering our forest areas.

“We have very strong reasons to believe that they are the people that turn at night to kidnappers, and armed robbers and commit various crimes, especially in the bad portions of the roads and in the forest reserves of the state.

“When we finish the investigation, we will send them to relevant government agencies for detailed profiling and those that would be sent back to their states will be sent back, but those we find guilty of criminal intentions will be tried in the court of competent jurisdiction.”

Equip Amotekun, Afenifere tells S’ west Govs

Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere has called on South West Governors to equip the Western Nigerian security Network codenamed Amotekun corps with modern equipment to fight insecurity in the region.

The group spoke on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital during a condolence visit to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on the gruesome killing of two traditional rulers and abduction of school pupils and their teachers. 

The leader of the Afenifere delegation, Chief Korede Duyile, called for the restructuring of the country to tackle security and other challenges.

The Afenifere leaders affirmed the need to strengthen Amotekun with the necessary ammunition that would make the officers effective in tackling all forms of security infiltration into the region.

He expressed the group’s appreciation for Oyebanji and commended the various steps he had taken to tackle the security challenges in the state, urging him to do more to protect the people.

Oyebanji, who commended the leadership of Afenifere for the visit to the State, described the gruesome killing of the two traditional rulers as sacrilegious and an affront to Ekiti people and the Yoruba race.

The Governor said he remained grateful to President, Bola Tinubu for staying on top of the situation, a development, which he said motivated everyone to put in their best in rescuing the children.

– agency report