By Dupson Collins, 11th April, 2024
Otunba Benji Oloye, a community leader and Bashorun of Owo Kingdom has reacted to those calling for the sacking of security heads and aides to Ondo State Governor, saying rejigging won’t in any way solve the security challenges bedeviling the state.
It could be recalled that recent security challenges in Ondo State and unprofessional response of the security aides to the governor triggered the anger of the residents of the state which led to the call for reshuffling of the security personnel in the state.
In a telephone conversation with PATH, Otunba said the people of the state should not create an impression that once the security personnel are relieve of their positions, the problem of insecurity will stop saying they are not the creator of the situations.
“If Mr Governor has been hearing all the hue and cry about changing the security aides and head of the state government security agencies like Amotekun Security Corps and he has refused to charge them, he must know something that we don’t know. The governor is not happy about the situation in the state and I know he is doing everything to bring the situation under control”.
He enjoined both the government and citizens to join hands together in finding lasting solutions to the problem, noting that timely and accurate information from the public will play a big role in apprehending these criminals elements disturbing the state.
Otunba added that Amotekun under the watch of the late Governor Akeredolu was effective due to the commitment and logistics support provided because the corps can’t afford to fail, being the initiator of the security network in the South West.
He stated that, Gov. Ayedatiwa was on joint ticket with Akeredolu of which they know the importance of Amotekun but the terrorists have gone back to the drawing board and now have more manpower, weapons and Camps in the forest of which Amotekun can’t handle them alone.
He further stated that, Federal Government is not helping Amotekun Security Corps in the mandate given to them due to the ban placed on them from carrying sophisticated weapons that can match with that of the bandits terrorizing the state.
Benji charged Governor Aiyedatiwa to continue to strengthen and fortify the agency while also embracing communities vigilante, neighborhood watch and hunters for the safety of lives and property of the residents.
On State Policing, the Owo born Community Leader said creation of State Police would effectively and efficiently address the security challenges, stressing the need for community involvement and inter-agency cooperation as key strategies for addressing Nigeria’s security problems.
” As the Chief Security Officers of their states, the governors should have control of security agencies within their domains to tackle all security threats and with State Police, they can adequately give orders without taking permission from the federal before acting on security issues”.
He said if the governors are making judicious use of the Security Votes allocated to them, several attacks in their respective states can be avoided, noting that, security money should be used for the purpose it is met for.
Otunba also noted that, aside State Police, each community should be encouraged to create Neighborhoods Security Watch and Vigilante Groups to defend themselves whenever these kidnappers, deadly herders and bandits visit their community.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among security agencies, noting that seamless intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and joint responses will help in tackling this menace.
Benji further call for regig of operational strategies of both the nation’s and state’s security network, adding that security posts should be created in Flash Zones where the criminals have turned to operation base.
Speaking on the jungle justice melted out to some northerns in Uromi in Edo State, Otunba condemned in strong terms the unlawful killings, saying the trend will continue for as long the people lost confidence in the justice system of the country.
He charged the government at the state level to establish Security Taskforce and Committee that will further boost the security architecture of the states.
“The Taskforce should comprise of Army, police, DSS Civil defence, Air Force and Navy. If they take the fight to the Terrorist camp in our forest the Amotekun will now compliment their effort in the free area. These operations must be carried out in all the south west states including Edo and Kogi simultaneously”.
Otunba noted that incompetent governance, poor judicial system, unemployment and religious intolerance are some of the causes of insecurity in the country which government at all levels must address.
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