The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, has advocated for the operation and recognition of local vigilantes at the Local Government level.
Akeredolu stated this on Tuesday, in the State capital, Akure while advocating for the better security of lives and properties at the local level.
“There’s no law stopping our local governments from forming local vigilantees in their respective local governments” he stated.
Ondo State and the entire South-West region have experienced security challengee in the past years, as activities of kidnappers and herdsmen increase, a development that led to the creation of Amotekun, a security outfit for the region.
In a bid to ensure the safety of Ondo State residents, Akeredolu also inaugurated 500 fresh Amotekun intakes for batch B on Tuesday, noting that crime is a local issue that should be addressed with a “large dose of home-grown content”.
Speaking at the passing-out ceremony for the newly recruited Amotekun Corps officers held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Igbatoro Road, Akure, the governor said the Amotekun Security Corps initiative is a baby of necessity.
The event was part of the activities marking the first 100 days of Akeredolu’s second term in office.
The governor also commissioned 20 new patrol vehicles to boost the operations of the state security network.
He also unveiled the Roadmap to Internal and Border Security in Ondo State, assuring that “the state shall become the safest and most secured in the country if the strategies contained in the roadmap are religiously implemented.”
“Today’s event is one of the milestones recorded by our administration in our attempt to redeem Ondo State from the shackles of poverty, disease, and underdevelopment.
“These cannot be achieved without a sense of safety and peace,” Akeredolu added.
