Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu says he would arm the people of Ondo state to defend themselves if terrorists strike in the state again.
He disclosed this on Friday while presenting 50 security-fitted vehicles to all security agencies in the state, including Ondo State Security Network, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps.
The governor, who recalled the killing of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on June 5, 2022, lamented that the Police could not do anything when the incident was reported to them because they had no operational vehicle.
Amotekun later chased the terrorists, but it was too late,the governor said.
He added: “Protecting life and property of our people is our priority here. Our own interest lies here.Any other incident here, we will ask our people to get guns to protect themselves. We will even get guns for our people to protect themselves.
He said:”So, you want me to stay inside my house and someone will come and kill me there.If we are pushed to the wall, we will also encourage our people to get guns. We are talking to our traditional rulers to get us the traditional powers. I am begging you, nobody, state, country can continue to witness this kind of insecurity.
“People will be on motor bikes and attempt to attack planes at Airport. How did they come in? Are there no people manning the place? What a country where you can’t get plane, train to travel and you dare not travel by road.Bandits save their people from government and government can’t save its people from bandits.
“Up till today, not all Chibok girls, now women, have come back. So, what are doing as a nation. I am worried about security issue in the country, let’s discuss it. Is there no government that they have this leeway to operate just like that?We will smoke criminals out of their hidings. Where we arrest them, we will bring them to justice and where they resist arrest, we will send them to where they will get justice.
“Whether they like or not, we will get State Police, it’s just a matter of time.Governor Matawalle was pushed to the wall before he asked his people to arm to protect themselves.I commend the sustained collective operations among you(security agencies in the state) in spite of these flash of criminality.Amotekun is not competing but cooperating with other agencies.”
The Commander of Amotekun and Special Adviser to the governor (Security Matters), Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, in his address described the gesture as a milestone in guaranteeing life and property of the people of the state.
“Despite the harsh economic situation, the governor takes people’s security as a premium.The governor provided the vehicle because of what security agencies might call hindrance in guaranteeing the life and property of the people.
He provided 50 fixed security operational vehicles, which cuts across all security agencies because of the synergy that exists among the security agencies in the state.”
Speaking, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Amadeusi, commended the Amotekun commander and other security chiefs in the state for the good job they are doing in the state.
He noted that :”if there’s no security in a state, investors would be scared. If we leave security in the hands of the conventional security agencies, despite their efforts, the state would be worse off. But with the advent of Amotekun, the state security sector has changed drastically.”
Commending Governor Akeredolu for empowering the Amotekun and other agencies in the state, Oba Aladetoyinbo said the Federal Government should allow state police.
He added:”We beg the Federal Government to give us state police. Police is overstretched, while the military shouldn’t be part of internal security. So, we are waiting for Federal Government to give us state police.”
